It was fall. On the night of the big frost, Henry and his dog, Laird Angus McAngus, decided that they must explore the wild and untracked mountains near their house. Before winter set in.

The next morning they set out. Henry filled his explorer's kit extra full of flags, and with rope too. "You always need rope when climbing in the mountains - for safety," Henry said.

"Please be very careful," said his mother, as she packed an extra big lunch.

Off they went. They picked their way through dangerous canyons and up steep cliffs -- it was an exciting afternoon. Best of all was the marvelous trip home at the end of the day, which was better than even Henry's imagination could have made it.

From the dust jacket of the Purple House Press edition