An innocent prank has serious consequences for twelve-year-old Ben who wants to show his cowboy father and the surly cow boss that he's ready to take more responsibility. Roping a ground squirrel was not the way to do it. Caught in the midst of their conflict, Ben comes to terms with his life. Ben is impatient to grow up and fill the footprints his father leaves on the Nevada cattle ranch where he works as the 'top hand.' Meeting the high expectations of his father is difficult enough, without the enmity expressed by Fred, the old cow boss, who seems to hate him. His Great Idea of roping a ground squirrel takes a disastrous turn that results in big trouble for him and good-natured teasing from all the cowboys in the bunkhouse. Hoping to help Ben get back into the good graces of both his father and Fred, these working 'buckaroos' teach him some old-time western skills that will help him take responsibility for the trouble he has caused. Ben grows up very quickly when he's put in a posit