The pirate frigate "Royal Hunter" captures the ship "Providence", belonging to the Royal African Company, in the waters of the Gulf of Guinea. A box containing a secret letter addressed to the Governor of Fort George (Henrietta Island), Sir Henry, was found on board the prize. The captive captain does not have the “key” to the code, and the pirates cannot read this letter. Posing as sailors, the pirates seize Fort George by cunning and take all its inhabitants hostage, including the governor and his daughter. Under threat of reprisal, Sir Henry will give the pirates the “key” to the code. It is clear from the letter that a company ship with treasury should arrive in the Gulf of Guinea from England. The pirates decide to wait for this ship to arrive and capture it. But the brave captain of the English Royal Navy, John Barney, stands in their way! Open publication of the novel “The Skull on the Flag.”