The year is 1818. Rodrigo DeSilva is twelve-years old and he has just landed in Monterey, California. Here he meets Kahulpana, a member of the Esselen tribe of Native Americans. Follow the adventures of Rodrigo and Kahulpana as they learn about each others' culture and defend the presidio against a land and sea attack by privateers Learn what life was like at nearby Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo (Carmel Mission) and Mission San Juan Bautista. Meet Loliki, a Sargentaruc Indian and find out why she and her people have an important decision to make. This book is part of the "Courage in History" Series. This historical fiction is based on factual evidence concerning the 1818 raid by privateer Hippolyte Bouchard on the presidio at Monterey.