In Part 1, the story explores the protagonist Micah Clarke's childhood and school days, as well as his interactions with youthful friends. Additionally, it introduces several incidents that launch Micah into his first major adventure. These events include the catching of a strange fish at Spithead, an encounter with a man with drooping eyelids, and a letter from the Lowlands. Following these incidents, Micah and his friends meet a horseman from the West and begin their journey toward war.

Part 1

Chapter I. Of Cornet Joseph Clarke of the Ironsides
Chapter II. Of my going to school and of my coming thence
Chapter III. Of Two Friends of my Youth
Chapter IV. Of the Strange Fish that we Caught at Spithead
Chapter V. Of the Man with the Drooping Lids
Chapter VI. Of the Letter that came from the Lowlands
Chapter VII. Of the Horseman who rode from the West
Chapter VIII. Of our Start for the Wars
Chapter IX. Of a Passage of Arms at the Blue Boar
Chapter X. Of our Perilous Adventure on the Plain
Chapter XI. Of the Lonely Man and the Gold Chest
Chapter XII. Of certain Passages upon the Moor