The Buccaneers — Iain Lawrence

"There's pirates in the West Indies. Cannibals. They cook you alive," says Mr. Spencer to his son. These words will haunt seventeen-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 from London for waters few of them have sailed. So when they come upon a lifeboat adrift at sea, some are wary of the sailor aboard. His name is Horn, and something about his story doesn't quite make sense. Still, John respects the stranger's awe-inspiring seamanship.

But is Horn to be trusted? Is he the good-luck charm he claims to be? The answers become muddled as the Dragon encounters a very real -- and very dangerous -- pirate ship. Brimming with furious high-seas adventure, this companion to The Wreckers and The Smugglers concludes the trilogy with a blood-curdling tale of buccaneers -- and a surprise ending.