"Draw my picture," the children begged, one after another. It was recess time at the Covington, Indiana, school in 1832. Carefully and skillfully young Lew Wallace sketched each of his classmates' faces. Each picture looked exactly like the face of the child he was drawing.

"How do you do it? the children asked in great amazement.

I don't know, but it's fun. It's easy, too. I love to draw pictures," replied Lew.

"It must be a magic pencil," the youngsters whispered.

A pencil seemed to work magic for Lew Wallace, whether he drew real pictures or painted pictures with words.

Lew loved his surroundings along the Wabash River in Indiana. He loved to hunt and fish, and to explore the dnese woodlands along its banks. He appreciated the beauty of nature, and sketched many a picture of trees and flowers.

Once Lew attempted to draw a picture of a company of soldiers in action, and almost lost his life. His observation point on a hillside happened to be the general target area for the company's practice....

From the dust jacket