Tommy is a 10-year-old slave roaming the cotton fields of Alabama. Intimidating guards with fierce dogs protect the land to prevent any slaves from leaving. But then a spirit visits Tommy offering a way out. With his banjo slung over his shoulder, Peg Leg Joe guides Tommy, his family and other slaves out of the South and into Canada through the legendary Underground Railroad. The escape is far from an easy ride. Tommy is forced to mature and allow his strong will to guide himself and others to safety under the guidance of Peg Leg Joe.
