It's the summer of 1781, and the American Revolution rages in Virginia. Tom Lorton, recently graduating from the College of William and Mary, is returning home to Charlottesville when he inadvertently discovers a clandestine plan that threatens Virginia’s Governor, Thomas Jefferson, and the entire state legislature. His adventures are framed around the true story of Jack Jouett, whose heroic exploits saved the author of the Declaration of Independence, along with many of America's founding fathers including Patrick Henry, and Benjamin Harrison.