Thirteen Stripes

The trouble all starts in Philadelphia on May 10, 1775, when delegates to the Continental Congress select George Washington to be Commander-in-Chief of American forces gathering in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The challenge to escort the General safely from Philadelphia, through the heartland of New Jersey, and on to New York falls to Captain Abram Markoe, a wealthy Danish citizen from the island of St. Croix, and his Philadelphia Troop of Horse. Washington's train will proceed on the difficult and arduous journey under the Troop's standard-a flag sporting thirteen stripes designed by Markoe himself.

Unbeknownst to the Captain, his nemesis, Enoch Mortaine, has been spying on him and his peers due to suspicions regarding smuggling activities between the islands of the West Indies and the rebellious American colonies. Upon learning of Washington's pending journey, Mortaine, a secret agent for King George III, forms a team bent on making sure the General does not make it to Cambridge and that Markoe is implicated in the assassination attempt.

As fate would have it, the South Ward of New Brunswick, New Jersey, home of the Wetherill family, is where the first attempt on Washington's life takes place. In the absence of noted Assemblyman and patriot leader, John Wetherill, his sons John, Jr., and Vincent, with the help of other locals-such as Cutlope Hancock and Ike Higgins-become involved in attempting to foil the assassination attempt. Little do they know that several weeks later another assassination attempt will test their mettle.

Back in Philadelphia, the focus of the King's agent and his team turns to Abram Markoe and a mysterious visitor from St. Croix-Colonel Johan Gottfried Krause. This honored guest is the bearer of good news and bad. By cunningly nefarious means, agent Mortaine and his hirelings discover what the Colonel is up to and seek to find out more before bringing both host and guest down. Their attention focuses on the Colonel who departs from Philadelphia, escorted by two members of Captain Markoe's Troop of Horse. Krause rides in a coach and four loaned to him by Captain Markoe. He is accompanied by two characters he assumes he can trust. The route taken is along the Lower Road through New Jersey in order to reach New York.

Once again, a dignitary's life hangs in the balance within the borders of the South Ward of New Brunswick. The Wetherill boys, along with relatives, friends, and associates, must face a second dangerous challenge, show their true colors, and earn their stripes the hard way.