One aspect of the social life during the colonization of America which tends to be minimized is the position of the indentured servant. This gap is only vaguely touched upon in this story of 12-year-old James Porter and his 13-year-old friend Davy who sailed from London in 1703 to become the bondsmen of two neighbors in Massachusetts. There is a scattering of interesting detail about the crossing and about life on a Colonial farm. The actual relationship between the temporary slave and his owner is barely penetrated. James' master is brimful of benevolence, while Davy's is a watered-down Simon Legree. James, with all his devoted loyalty, and the bravely suffering Davy seem more like the Victorian than the 18th century stereotype.