History tells of an actual Bad Man of the Hudson in the 1700's named Claudius Smith who terrorized the Hudson Valley.

The angry citizens formed a posse to catch the cattle thief and his gang. Robby, his 16-year-old brother, found refuge with the Van Deusen family, but during a bad storm on the River his life was changed.

Could Hannah Van Deusen safely deliver a skull filled with ransom money to the gang in order to save her little brother? Would the good Domine Westerlo be able to capture Claudius Smith without a gun? Where would the secret tunnel lead? Follow the exciting adventures of Robby and Hannah, and find out why Claudius took his boots off at his hanging.