Wilderness Honor with Pungo and Sundance

Pungo, the protagonist, a young Mandan Indian from North Dakota, led three Indian friends in the final challenge to complete the four-day rite of passage ceremony and manhood called Sun Dance. One of the young Indian boys was accidently killed but the accident was blamed on Pungo. His punishment was expulsion from the tribe, surely a slow death on the plains of North Dakota in the early 20th century. Running from a violent thunderstorm, he found shelter in a cave, where he slept until awakened by an unusual sound. Investigation revealed a wounded wolf, which had fallen over a ledge inside the cave. It was unable to escape. Pungo rescued and nursed the wolf back to health. He named him Sundance in honor of the Sun Dance rite he had just completed with his tribe. Pungo and Sundance settled deep in the mountain wilderness, where they met others including a brown bear, a wild stallion, John who chose the wilderness over being a street person, a survivor who plunged over a waterfall, two thieves and Maria, who worked in the nearby town. Sundance assisted Pungo in all these encounters and was a faithful companion in the lonely and harsh environment.