During the great plague of 1665, a young boy is kidnapped from a small boat in London's River Thames and forced by the evil pirate to serve aboard a ship whose captain claims to have a Letter of Marque-that is, a license granted by Queen Elizabeth I to raid enemy merchant and armed ships. These pirates rarely shared the prize money with the crown. John will not sign the contract that would make him a trusted member of the crew and is only allowed one day ashore in the Caribbean. His trust in God supports him through brutal experiences. After a year's captivity, with the help of two Puritans, he tries to escape to make his way in the new world.