Harper's Round Table, June 16, 1896

Set against the golden hush of an October afternoon in 1746 Virginia, the story opens on a tranquil riverbank where the Rappahannock glistens beneath a clear sky. A young hunter, his keen eyes and steady hand honed by years in the woods, pauses beside his faithful setter, savoring a rare moment of quiet amidst the rustle of pine and the distant hum of the king’s highway.

The peace is broken when a regal cavalcade bursts onto the road—four strikingly dressed riders followed by a splendid coach drawn by powerful roans. Their arrival stirs the still air, hinting at intrigue and the clash of worlds that will soon unfold. As the boy watches, his sharp perception and innate sense of honor set the stage for a tale where wilderness skill meets the demands of a changing society, promising listeners a vivid portrait of early America and the characters who shape its destiny.