[close] Rob Brackett is in dire straits. He's always known that the first rule of survival is to not stick your neck out for anyone but yourself. But he disregarded his own advice and took another orphan, a young girl called Nell, under his wing. As a result of Nell's trusting nature, the two of them were kidnapped off the streets of London and shipped to Virginia. If only Rob had followed his instincts and left Nell on her own! Now he is in the new Jamestown colony, forced to work as an indentured servant to a cruel tobacco farmer, and there seems to be no escaping his predicament. His only companion is an Indian girl named Mattoume, but everyone knows Indians are not to be trusted. He certainly can't depend on her for a way out . . . or can he?

In this well-told, extensively researched, and vividly portrayed novel, Rob must find a way to persevere in the cruel New World, even if it means accepting-and returning-the help of others. [close]