Voyage of Slaves: A Tale from the Castaways of the Flying Dutchman

When they are captured by a band of slave traders led by the evil Al Misurata, Ben, and his faithful canine companion Ned, must make their escape from this ship bound for Italy, vanquishing many enemies along the way.

Grade 5-8–Having escaped from the Flying Dutchman and its odious Captain Vanderdecken, Ben and his dog, Ned, are cursed to wander the Earth for eternity, never growing older. In this third account of their adventures, the castaways are again shipwrecked and separated. Ben is captured by the slave trader Al Misurata, while Ned is rescued by a company of itinerant entertainers. The two are reunited when the entertainers, the Rizzoli Troupe, are forced to perform for the trader, and all of them end up on Al Misurata's ship to be sold as slaves. Ned speaks to Ben telepathically, and since no one would expect a dog to understand human language, he overhears the villain's plans. This is just the beginning of the swashbuckling adventure as Ben and his black Labrador attempt to escape the ship and to rescue the Rizzoli Troupe, while, at the same time, avoiding recapture by the ghostly sailors of the Flying Dutchman. Numerous footnotes translate various snatches of dialogue in German or Italian. This can be either helpful or annoying, depending on your way of looking at it. However, it is easy to just enjoy the compelling and readable adventure. This book is a good choice for any library in which Jacques's books in general and the Castaways stories in particular are popular.–Tim Wadham, Maricopa County Library District, Phoenix, AZ
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The third book in Castaways of the Flying Dutchman series continues the adventures of Ben and the black labrador Ned. Guided by the angel who spared them the fate of the Flying Dutchman's crew, they find themselves once again being used in heaven's fight against evil. This time they escape from a barbaric pirate and slaver, who relentlessly pursues them. As in The Angel's Command (2003), coincidence and fortuitous accidents forward the plot; however, the harrowing action, leavened by humor, makes this yet another riveting tale. Sally Estes
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