FRENCH, THEN AMERICAN, ATTEMPTS TO SEIZE THE BRITISH COLONY OF NOVA SCOTIA THE 1740S TO 1780S, AS SEEN THROUGH THE EYES OF THE FICTIONAL CHARACTERS, WHO INTERACT WITH HISTORICAL PERSONS OF THE PERIOD. THE PRINCIPAL CHARACTER, BRYAN HAWKINS, IS A BRITISH SAILOR CAPTURED BY A FRENCH PRIVATEER AND FORCED BY THE FRENCH GOVERNOR OF 'ILE ROYALE'.TO EMBARK ON A MISSION AIMED AT RETRIEVING A FRENCH SHIP AND CREW. MISSION SUCCESSFUL, HAWKINS JOINS THE CREW OF A BRITISH PROVINCIAL SLOOP, IS CAPTURED BY FRENCH AND FIRST NATION WARRIORS, ESCAPES, AND THEN CHANGES PROFESSIONS TO BECOME A COLONIAL RANGER. WITH THE END OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR, HAWKINS SETTLES IN NOVA SCOTIA WITH HIS WIFE, GISELE, AND THEIR GROWING FAMILY, BUT THEIR PEACEFUL EXISTENCE IS INTERRUPTED BY THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, WITH HAWKINS ONCE AGAIN FIGHTING FOR THE BRITISH CROWN.