Did you know there were cowboys and cattle rustlers in the East long before those in the West? History tells of an actual Bad Man of the Hudson in the 1700's named Claudius Smith who terrorized the Hudson Valley. The angry citizens formed a posse to catch the cattle thief and his gang. Robby, his 16-year-old brother, found refuge with the Van Deusen family, but during a bad storm on the River his life was changed. Could Hannah Van Deusen safely deliver a skull filled with ransom money to the gang in order to save her little brother? Would the good Domine Westerlo be able to capture Claudius Smith without a gun? Where would the secret tunnel lead? Follow the exciting adventures of Robby and Hannah, and find out why Claudius took his boots off at his hanging.