After escaping the Black Hook Gang in 1860 New York City, twelve-year-old twins Alexander and Cleopatra flee to New Orleans, become separated, and try to find each other in San Francisco, while being followed by pirates who think they hold the key to treasure

The Black Hook Gang -- Imposters -- To sea -- The breaker and the boiler -- The pocketknife -- Cape Horn -- Tooth and nail -- El Caleuche -- City in a cloud