Liza is the nine-year-old daughter of Joseph Barss Jr., captain of the privateer schooner Liverpool Packet. Her father promised she could sail with him sometime, but he won't take her when he's privateering, chasing and capturing American merchant ships during the War of 1812. Boys her age go to sea on sailing ships, but everyone says it's not for girls. Liza's determination to find a way to sail on a merchant ship may get her into a lot of trouble...