Who but Wells among Australian writers could create the characters that make these pages live? Dirk Spaanders, a red-headed Porthos of the sea with a heart of gold and an astounding vocabulary; Captain Bess, Queen-Apparent of England, robbed of her crown by thwarted ambitions and desires; Suleyman, a negro galley slave who became the honoured counsellor to one who had been educated and trained for the throne; Evan Ironbroom, a pirate with royal blood in his veins and the devil in his heart; Will Booley, a 'chaplain' who achieved his heart's desire when he killed Evan Ironbroom, the murderer of his father, even though he lost his life in doing it; Nan Chennyworth, a white lily in the hell that was the 'Lady Angel'. - Dust jacket flap.
