Peter, Margaret and Wayne discover a Roman boat in a cave that contains the manuscript of young Pompey.  The discovery changes the tiny little town of Gamma into a brash, hyped-up tourist center. The children also find that their lives change too - and they dont like what is happening.  The manuscript found in the boat reveals that the boat is cursed; and until the boat is destroyed it will continue to curse all that come into contact with it.  The children must decide whether to save the boat, or destroy the boat and save Gamma.