This first book in the series introduces Matty Graves, midshipman in the early years of the United States Navy. In 1799, the young U.S. Navy faces France in an undeclared Quasi-War for the Caribbean. Graves is caught up in escalating violence as he serves aboard the Rattle-Snake under his drunken cousin, Billy. Graves already knows how to handle the sails and fight a ship. Now, with the sarcastic Lieutenant Peter Wickett as his mentor and nemesis, he faces the ironies of a war in which telling friend from foe is no mean trick.