Jacob Melby leaves England for Baltimore in 1761, hopeful of a new life and the chance to make his fortune. Finding work hard to come by, he turns to stealing and smuggling to make a living and then uses the money he makes as a stake in various businesses. But when war between the colonies and the British Empire breaks out in 1775, Jacob find a clash of loyalties between his old home and his new and his business interests begin to suffer. When a friend suggests producing lead shots and stockpiling them until one side or the other approaches him, Jacob leaps at the idea. Before long he has the ear of Henry Knox and is supplying the Continental Army with everything they need. He increases his production of flour and provides all the shot and uniforms he can. But the war is still a long way from its conclusion. Can Jacob save his flourishing business and stay alive? Will his assistance make a difference in the war? Or will his empire come crashing down and bury him in its ruins?