Whenever Peter visited his aunt and uncle in Boston, the first thing he did was to make his way to the waterfront. Although he loved the New Hampshire farm on which he was born, the excitement of the docks drew him like a magnet.

The year he was fifteen one of Peter's wildest dreams came true. On his first trip to the docks during his Christmas vacation, almost before he realized what was happening he was assigned aboard the sleek freighter San Andres for an eighteen-day trip. His parents had given permission when Captain Malant promised that he would be back in time for the reopening of the school.

The possibilities for adventure for the youngest crew member of the San Andres were unlimited. Before the ship had been out of Boston one day, it was hit by a raging storm. But Peter learned from Captain Malant that any crisis can be overcome as long as you "keep your head."

Later Peter has plenty of opportunity to think of Captain Malant's words. The story of Peter's life at sea involves an unusual stowaway, a revolution in a foreign port and climaxes in a final episode that truly tests whether Peter can "keep his head" in the face of danger.

From the dust jacket