New Zealand, 1809. As the HMS Boyd pulls into Whangaroa Bay, all those on board marvel at the wondrous beauties of the New Zealand coastline for the first time in their lives. All on board, that is, except one. Te Ara is a young Maori, the son of a mighty chief. He has sailed on board British vessels for over a year now, on an exchange trip of sorts, with the goal of building good will between the Maori and the British.

While on board the Boyd, en route from New South Wales, Australia, Te Ara had been severely flogged by the Captain for disobedience. The Captain, a man named John Thompson, had not only physically hurt the young Maori, but had greatly insulted his honor as well.

For the past few weeks, Te Ara has managed to feign repentance and win the trust of Captain Thompson and the crew. He has told of great forests full of the prized Kauri, who’s lumber would net the Captain and crew great fortunes. But this is all a lie. In fact, Te Ara has lured them here to his homeland to exact his revenge.

Within 3 days, nearly all of the 70 people on board The Boyd would be dead, the victims of Maori war clubs and spears. And Captain Thompson would be butchered, cooked and eaten by the Maori he had so offended.