Peter Duck

The Peter Duck of the title is an ancient, hugely experienced, sailor who has spent his life sailing the oceans on tea clippers such as the Thermopylae. Retiring to his wherry on the Norfolk Broads, Peter Duck passes his time in Lowestoft Harbour watching ships preparing to head out to sea.

Also in Lowestoft, the Swallows and Amazons are gathering with Captain Flint onboard the Wild Cat, an ex-Baltic trading schooner that Captain Flint has bought and converted for a cruise around the British coast. When Captain Flint finds himself short of experienced help, Peter Duck offers his services and joins the Wild Cat's crew. Plans are soon being made for a leisurely cruise down channel.

Those plans gradually change because of the attentions of Black Jake, who shadows the Wild Cat in his own schooner, the Viper. Some sixty years before, Peter Duck witnessed pirates burying their treasure on a deserted Caribbean Island. Black Jake knows this and is determined to force Peter Duck to lead him to the treasure.