1793. John Pearce and his Pelicans are going home to freedom and intent on putting the treacherous Captain Ralph Barclay in the dock. But in the confusion of the evacuation of Toulon, as citizens try to flee the Republican Army and the guillotine, Pearce must keep his wits about him in order to survive. Through unfortunate circumstances, Pearce finds himself on a ship back to England with Captain Barclay and his lovely wife Emily. In the end, the Pelicans may think they have reached the end of their troubles but it is Emily Barclay who holds the key to their hope of justice. But do her loyalties lie with her husband or her conscience?