Commander William Brewer has just finished the hardest mission of his career - that of hunting down his friend and mentor Michael Underhill for piracy. That mission ended with Underhill sacrificing himself to save Brewer's life. Now, back on Martinique, he meets Underhill's widow, Cynthia, who tells him of the man named Alan Johnson who she says kept her husband at his job as a pirate in his service after he wanted to leave and so caused his death, and she wants Brewer's help in hunting him down and killing him.

Wracked by guilt, Brewer gets Johnson's address and foolishly goes to confront him at his house on San Domingo. He accuses Johnson of organizing piracy and even mentions Cynthia Underhill as his source. After reporting to Admiral Hornblower, Brewer's sloop, HMS Revenge, is attacked by two brigs. Revenge disables both her adversaries but is badly damaged in the engagement and limps back to Port Royal.