John Marshall comes to Chester to recruit young men for the war effort, and encourages Jeremy, Henry and Isak to meet with him and others in the community who are interested in fighting for independence. Committed to their own secret operations, they decline his invitation to join his troops, citing neutrality. When a friend is killed by redcoats on his way home from the meeting, young Tad, accuses Jeremy of betraying him to the British, and plots to assassinate him to avenge his brother.