1863: Lisa and her friend Archie love mining for gold, so they couldn't be happier when Lisa's father purchases a claim in Cameronton, outside the village.However, it turns out there's a dispute regarding the ownership of the claim. Lisa's friend Greta--severely ill and very weak--has a claim to the same land. Before she succumbs to her illness, Greta generously signs her portion of the claim over to Lisa and her father so that Lisa and the rest of her family can stay in Cameronton, allowing Lisa to go to school to learn about mining.