Joshua's one chance of finding work at the stables comes to a horrible end when the head groom at the hall accuses him of causing the riding accident to Sir Edmund Atterley. Unable to prove his innocence, Joshua runs away and searches for the one person who might be able to save him from prison, his best friend Sam, first mate on the Severn trow, the Emily Grey. Accompanied by Matt the stable lad, a servant girl Daisy, a small boy he thinks is a ghost, and a runaway dog called Rags, Joshua must make a decision that will change his life forever.