A convivial evening at Hoag's Tavern is interrupted by a young companion, William Fentise, declaring to the assembled company that he is very much in love with Sylvia, known as "Cherry," the beautiful daughter of Mr. Gray, a wealthy resident of their town. He conspires with some of the bolder spirits of the company to hold up the stage in which Mr. Gray and his daughter are homeward bound to the King George Inn, he will then dash up, drive the "robbers" away single handed and claim the fair lady.