When the huge steamship on which they are traveling runs aground off the New Jersey coast in 1882, two boys and their families are among the passengers dramatically rescued by members of the U.S. Life Saving Service. Includes notes about the event on which the story is based.

Cousins Patrick and Beth work to protect runaway slave Sally as they travel by train with President-elect Abraham Lincoln through northern New York state in 1861 aboard The Lincoln Special, getting assistance from Mrs. Mary Todd Lincoln and her son Willie along the way.