The adventures of Jacques, Jean, Emilie, and the monkey, Singe continue. Fleeing the French Revolution, they stowed away on a ship bound for Philadelphia, then the capital of the United States. How would they survive? Where would they live? What would they do? Living in the capital when the nation was new, feeling its way as to how best to govern itself, lends insight into the early United States. America's first circus began in Philadelphia and George Washington attended. Singe, the monkey, and the former King's quagga perform. Romance is in the air, too, as Jacques and Jean grow into manhood. Philadelphia is devastated by a yellow fever epidemic. Do Jacques, Jean and Emilie survive?