Bright Cameron has always been taught that freedom is a person's most precious right.After all, Papa came to America as a poor indentured worker from Scotland and he toiled for years until his friend Marcus, a slave, helped him to freedom.But for Bright, slavery has always been something she has only heard about.Then she discovers that Mama and Papa are hiding runaway slaves in a hidden compartment of Papa's wagon and boarding them in the barn.Soon Bright, too, becomes involved in her family's secret world.One night, when Papa falls ill, Bright discovers how dear freedom truly is--and what price it exacts from those who must struggle for it.