Charlotte Doyle is on the docks of Liverpool, England to return home to her family in America. Mr. Grummage has been hired by Charlotte's father to see that Charlotte boards Captain Jaggery's ship the Seahawk safety and on time. Mr. Grummage learns that the other passengers on the Seahawk are no longer coming, making Charlotte the only non-crewmember aboard. Grummage refuses to let her take a different ship, insists that he must carry out his order and promptly walks off, leaving Charlotte by herself.

Charlotte is taken to her small living quarters. Mr. Barlow, a crewmember, comes by and tries to convince Charlotte to leave the ship while she has the chance. Charlotte refuses. An old black sailor named Zachariah visits to offer her some tea. Zachariah tries to befriend Charlotte and gives her a knife so that she can protect herself. She unwilling accepts the...