Hutch Worthington is the son of a good man who made one mistake and is sent to Australia on a convict ship. At seven, most of his family perish from typhoid fever, and he is left in the care of his older brother.
Branded as the son of a convict, Hutch is bullied by his classmates and tormented by his unhappy teacher who dislikes his job and feels he made a mistake coming to Australia.
Hutch secretly admires the courage of Sheila, a fellow pupil who is teased by other students because she has polio. Together, they form a secret bond of friendship.
A chance meeting with an archaeology professor, Edmond McCormick, changes Hutch's life. Over time, the professor becomes a mentor to Hutch. Together, Hutch and Professor McCormick embark on an adventure across the Pacific Ocean, stopping in Hawaii and on to San Francisco in 1864.
A mysterious Turquoise Bottle and a curious map help guide them on their adventure to find mysterious treasures in the Nevada Indian territory.