Klabund tells the legend of the infamous pirate Störtebecker, who roamed the North and Baltic Seas in the 14th century, instilling fear and terror in the Hanseatic cities. Although he was one of the most wanted criminals of his time, the cunning pirate repeatedly managed to escape from his opponents. Only through a clever deception was he ultimately captured. Using selected fragments, Klabund traces Störtebecker's life story: his family background, his unparalleled career as the leader of the Vitalienbrüder, and finally his tragic end. The novella was first published in 1926.