It's the year 1733. Twelve-year-old Peter has never known his parents; he's spent most of his life in an orphanage run by the formidable Mrs Bassam. One day Peter is sold by Mrs Bassam and sent off to work for Captain Lepper, a violent smuggler who takes pleasure in beating him. Then a vicious murder is committed, and the blame is place firmly on Peter's shoulders. He finds himself locked up in prison where he meets Captain Greybeard, a pirate, and Joseph, a young black boy forced into slavery. The three hatch a plan to flee the gaol and their probable death sentence. But can their escape really work, and is old Greybeard really the wicked pirate he's made out to be?