Our hearts go out to Mungo St. John as he learns upon return from his education abroad, that his father has died and a manipulative opportunist, Chester Marion, has purchased the rights to St. John's plantation and all who are upon it, including a slave girl, Camilla, whom Mungo had grown up with and was very much in love with. In an attempt to escape Marion's men, Mungo and Camilla are trapped and Mungo believes that Camilla has been killed by Marion himself as he escapes, vowing to return. Distraught, Mungo is determined that he will one day come back to avenge Camilla's death and reclaim his families property. Through sea voyage and, risky business undertakings, and an unlikely friendship Mungo returns years later to find a great many surprises with a particularly heart-wrenching turn at the end. A compelling read!