Young Daniel Arabus and his mother are slaves in the house of Captain Ivers of Stratford, Connecticut. By law they should be free, since Daniel's father fought in the Revolutionary army and earned eugh in soldiers' tes to buy his family's freedom.But w Daniel's father is dead, and Mrs. Ivers has taken the tes from his mother. When Daniel bravely steals the tes back, a furious Captain Ivers forces him aboard a ship bound for the West Indies--and certain slavery. Even if Daniel can manage to jump ship in New York, will he be able to travel the long and dangerous road to freedom?