Albert Greentree decided his eldest son should be like him, starting to learn to be a merchant as well as becoming a man. John was sent to sea against his will as what Albert referred to as a bottom feeder. John discovered his father had a secret that caused him to lose his name, his family, and his nationality. He was left at Kingston, Jamaica, where his troubles began. He was hired by another captain, from whom he learns merchandising and becomes what his father had wished for. That ship, Mayanne, was attacked by pirates, and John was confronted with life decisions. He also became part of a conspiracy and was forced into a duel. He asked himself two questions: Is he a man? And is his life part of some fateful plan? John is not lucky, early on, with love but later discovers his true love after a series of mishaps. He finds himself involved in the plots of other persons. He becomes the problems and the solution to the problem. He marries a girl from Baltimore, Maryland, and with her returns to his English homeland where he becomes involved in his fathers problems. He decides to return to Baltimore where he plans to spend the rest of his adult life with Margaret, his wife.