1876. Two paleontologists, desperate to beat each other in their quest to find dinosaur fossils, brave the lawless territories of the Wild West. Facing hostile Indian tribes and towns where pistol fights are a daily occurrence, each excursion puts their lives in danger.

William Johnson, a student with more privilege than sense, joins paleontologist Othniel Charles Marsh on his latest expedition, after making a brash wager. But Marsh is convinced William is a spy for his nemesis, Edwin Drinker Cope, and abandons him.

Soon William joins forces with Cope and together, they stumble upon a momentous discovery - dragon teeth of a fantastic size! But to keep this extraordinary treasure safe, William must first confront some of the West's most dangerous and notorious characters.