Captain Ramage sails to Naples in the frigate "Calypso," expecting to be given the rather tedious task of escorting merchantmen across the Mediterranean. It is not long after Trafalgar, and the last thing he expects is an encounter with two French ships of the line. Adventure follows, as it does when he finally arrives in Naples and is given details of his mission. He is to sail to Sicily where the Saraceni--Barbary Coast pirates--have been attacking the local fishing ports.