At dawn, the boats slip silently into the water—and the journey begins.

Some whisper that monsters wait in the uncharted West. But our leaders, Captain Lewis and Captain Clark, dismiss such fears as foolish dreams. This is a voyage into the unknown, they say—one that demands courage, not imagination.

And yet, I dream.

I carry that dream with me as we set out to find a waterway to the western sea. I dream of something greater than discovery. I dream of freedom.

My name is York, and I am a slave.

When the Lewis and Clark expedition set out in 1803 to explore the vast American frontier, York—a man enslaved by William Clark—traveled alongside them. In this beautifully illustrated children’s book, York shares his powerful story, offering a unique and deeply human perspective on one of the most famous journeys in American history.

Told with grace and honesty, this inspiring narrative weaves together themes of courage, hope, and resilience, set against the sweeping backdrop of exploration. It is both an adventure story and a moving reflection on the meaning of freedom.