This enchanting adventure tells the story of Donald, a boy spending his summer holidays in the Canadian countryside. John Buchan knew that some Native Americans were said to have the power of projecting happenings of long ago onto a piece of calm water. In this tale he chooses Negog, the Native American Indian, as Donald's companion and guide.

Negog conjures up a strange mist from a magic fire and brings to life visions from the past. Through these boyish adventures peopled with Vikings, gold prospectors, Indians, and Eskimos, Donald learns more about history than school has taught him.