In 1831, Kevin Cullane and his father left their farm in Ireland and boarded a ship bound for America. After arriving at the port of New York City, Kevin is offered a job of driving horses that pull the packet boat, Gypsy Queen, on the Erie Canal. While working on the canal, he makes new friends and faces many challanges, including helping runaway slaves escape to freedom in Canada. Although Captain Stoddard, the harsh captain of the Gypsy Queen, makes life difficult, Kevin resolves to continue working for him to keep a promise he made to his father.