"After his family is killed and his house is burnt down by invading Americans, Theo Bentley vows to retaliate. He will burn down the house of the President of the United States. But how? He's only thirteen, and the militia won't let him join up. Then a friend of his guardian offers them a change to be British spies in Baltimore. During the long trek down from Canada to Baltimore, Theo learns that Americans are not much different from people he knows back in York, Upper Canada. Some good; some bad" -- Back cover.