Crossing the Atlantic, Charles Hayden encounters a dismasted ship sailing under jury rig - it is a slaver headed for the British West Indies. Without Hayden's help many slaves will die of thirst and starvation, and reluctantly he agrees to help the ship in exchange for a percentage of their profits.

Reaching Barbados, Hayden finds his ship in a squadron under the command of the conceited Sir William Jones, who involves Hayden in his perilous exploits. Hayden must question whether he will risk his men and stand by Jones, or whether he will stand against him.