The novel starts in 1796 with Homer Whitman, American sailor, sailing with his ship to escape a failed romance. The ship was attacked by the Barbary pirates and Homor was given a debt to pay with took eighteen years, most in Africa. Here he found the gold needed to complete his task. Maine, Malta, Tripoli, the tents of the Bedouin, a tomb in Sudan, Capetown, the palaces and gaming rooms of London - and home!