Lt. Beamish, just named Governor of New Providence, prepares to welcome the commander of a Spanish galleon. His inexperience and trusting nature make him a good mark for the wily Spaniard, whose visit is not a friendly one.

A raiding party of pirates led by Blackbeard is looting the storehouse of New Providence. They leave behind one teenage lad to cover their retreat. Tempest is frustrated that raids like this can happen and wants Beamish to supply him with weapons to arm his sloop so he can go to sea and take the fight to them. Beamish sees to it and the captured boy is pressed into service as Tempest's cabin boy and they head out to sea to search for Blackbeard.