Jane Powell, daughter of Leven Powell, cares for her widowed mother while waiting for the return of her betrothed, George Morgan White Eyes, who disappeared out west. Jane thinks George is dead, killed by agents of Thomas Jefferson.
Jane's father fought with George Washington at Valley Forge and for his services received warrants for land in Ohio which he gave to his oldest son Billy. When Jane's two brothers visit their mother they find Billy who is being chased by thugs claiming his land. Billy tells them that George Morgan White Eyes is alive.
Billy leaves for Winchester, where he meets George Morgan White Eyes and fighters from Ohio. Billy's brother Cuthbert, mayor of Alexandria, sends militia to help, and his brother Burr, member of Virginia's General Assembly, goes to Winchester hoping to negotiate a settlement.
Sally, Leven's widow, and her house servants anxiously send their grandchildren through the woods to Winchester to find news of Billy. These four teenagers, two boys and two girls, make it through the dark woods but survive attackers and are rescued by a mother bear. By the time all principals get near Winchester there are several hundred armed men ready to face each other in battle over the Ohio land.
About the Author: Barbara McLennan has published eight books and numerous articles on various political, economic, and historical subjects. For two years she contributed columns and articles on local customs and local history to NorthernNeck.com, a local online newspaper serving the Rappahannock region of Virginia.
Holding both Ph.D. (University of Wisconsin, Madison) and J.D. (Georgetown) degrees, Barbara McLennan is a former professor, association executive and high level official in the United States Departments of Commerce and Treasury. Over the last several years, she has served as docent at Jamestown Settlement, and at Historic Jamestown. She also has assisted the historian in preparation for exhibits at the new museum of the American Revolution at Yorktown.
Dr. McLennan has taught in the Thomas Jefferson School of Public Policy, The College of William and Mary. She also has been a Visiting Scholar at William & Mary's Raymond A. Mason School of Business, in the MBA program. She has held a commission as member of the Governor of Virginia's Asian Advisory Board on trade and investment and is a Board Member of the Chesapeake Bay Writers Organization.
