In 1757 the villagers of Moonfleet, led by publican Elzevir Block, engage in smuggling, risking capture by sadistic magistrate Mohune or an encounter with the ghost of Blackbeard. After Mohune kills his son in a raid Elzevir takes in young orphan John Trenchard, who also forms a secret friendship with Mohune's daughter Grace, to whom he shows a document which he hopes will lead to the discovery of Blackbeard's hidden diamond. The smugglers are ambushed on their next venture and Mohune is killed in crossfire but Elzevir is blamed and goes on the run with John.
—don @ minifie-1