Porter, a young man, is obsessed. He jumps ship to join the 1849 California gold rush. Bjorn and the crew rush to Sacramento. Their ship Agilis is abandoned in the San Francisco harbor.

Bjorn is a natural gold miner, but Porter hates the search for riches and returns to Agilis as the second mate. The owner wagers his vessel on a race to Honolulu for food to feed hungry forty-niners.

Porter must beat a rival to the islands, fight Chinese pirates, and outmaneuver his competitor.

This story of intrigue, trickery and exciting times in Hawaii appeals to lovers of adventure and challenge.