“There’s pirates in the West Indies. Cannibals. They cook you alive,” says Mr. Spencer to his son. These words will come to haunt 17 year old John as he embarks on his first voyage to foreign lands. Carrying cargo destined for Jamaica, John and his crew of the Dragon set off for waters few of them have sailed before. So when they come uponlifeboat adrift at sea, some are wary of the sailor aboard. Something about his story doesn’t quite make sense. Still, John respects the stranger’s awe inspiring seamanship. With Horn on deck, he feels the Dragon is in the best of hands. But is Horn to be trusted? The answer becomesmuddled as the Dragon encounters a very real — and very dangerous — pirate ship. Now John starts to believe his father’s warnings, especially after he becomes stranded on an island reputedto have buried treasure.