In 1781 the British army of Lord Cornwallis stormed into Virginia sweeping the ragged Americans before it. The British had defeated General Greene in South Carolina, and again in North Carolina. Now the redcoats were occupying Williamsburg, demanding reinforcements so that they could crush the rebels and end the war in the South.

"Where are the French?" the Americans asked. "Where is the French fleet that was supposed to help us?" Rene Dupre asked the same questions of his father, who ran a ferry across the broad York river at Yorktown and was a spy for the Americans. Rene had heard the soldiers grumble. "Rochambeau and his French army are at Newport, Rhode Island, where they have been for a year—charming the ladies. The French fleet is in the West Indies fighting the British. They will not come to help the Americans."

Proud of his French blood, Rene was embarrassed by the harsh comments of the weary soldiers. He was sure they would come. The had promised! How the French came to Virginia and helped defeat the British regulars at Yorktown in the decisive battle of the American Revolution is Mrs. Hays' exciting story.

From the dust jacket