The novel opens in April 1775, a few days after British soldiers and American colonials known as “Minutemen” opened fire on each other at Concord and Lexington, Massachusetts. Thirteen-year-old Tim Meeker, his parents Eliphalet and Susannah Meeker, their minister Mr. Beach, and two local farmers are having dinner at the Meeker family-owned tavern in Redding, Connecticut. Tim is the first-person protagonist of the story, and as such, the novel unfolds through Tim’s eyes and thoughts. For this reason, Eliphalet is referred to as “Father” and Susannah as “Mother” throughout. Other adult characters occasionally call Father “Life,” a nickname for Eliphalet.

Sam Meeker, Tim’s 16-year-old brother, bursts in, home from Yale and dressed in a military uniform. He is very proud of himself and excited, bringing news of the conflict. While doing so, he lets it drop that he has joined the Governor’s Second Foot Guard, a colonial militia unit. Sam and Father begin a heated discussion over the news. Sam believes that the colonists must fight for their freedom. His father believes that such talk is treasonous and that they should be loyal to King George III, the British king. The other diners side with his father and do not condone the armed rebellion.