Johannes, an overly-protected boy, obsessed with his sailor uncle's fabricated Indian lore, seeks to locate a sacred & forbidden cave where he might meet his ghostly heroes. His pal, Buddy, a welfare child, seeks a cave as hideaway from his dysfunctional family where he can wait for the moment to run away to a sympathetic aunt. They spend their summer trying to realize these goals.

Johannes, an overly-protected boy, obsessed with his sailor uncle's fabricated Indian lore, seeks to locate a sacred & forbidden cave where he might meet his ghostly heroes. His pal, Buddy, a welfare child, seeks a cave as hideaway from his dysfunctional family where he can wait for the moment to run away to a sympathetic aunt. They spend their summer trying to realize these goals.