This is a tale of old stagecoach days in New Hampshire, of country inns which were headquarters for the freight wagons and passenger coaches and of highwaymen in ambush on the lonely mountain roads.

Daniel Drew, fifteen years old, came to the "Fox and Stars" at Deptford to earn his living as stable boy. Before his days at the inn were over, Dan found himself a part of the life of the town and also deep in adventure. For a band of highwaymen known as the "Stingers" preyed upon all the eastern country back of the coast, and their final raids took place in Deptford itself.

Mr. Meader knows the New Hampshire country, its history, its people and its horses. And as his hosts of readers know, he is a master of the art of telling a stirring and convincing story.