The game recalls the legendary 1672 escape of a large group of pirates from the dreaded fortress of Cartagena. Each player has a crew of 6 fugitives which he tries to hurry through the long and tortuous underground passage that connects the fortress to the waterfront. But the task is not easy, because to move pirates forward in the passage you must play appropriate cards, of which you have only a few, while to replenish your cards, you must move pirates backward again… To balance these conflicting needs requires good timing and judgement. First player who succeeds in bringing his 6 pirates to the end of the passage and aboard a waiting sloop, wins the game.

The rules of the game are simple and easy to learn, and they offer 2 ways to playing: a faster way that gives more scope to luck and a tactical way that requires more skill. Players can choose which way they like best.