Summary Part I

Part I: Stowaway [August - September 1768]

Nicholas Young, an educated 11-year-old, stows away aboard the H.M.S. Endeavour (whose captain is James Cook) with the help of seamen Francis Haite, John Ramsay, and Samual Evans. Nick's temporary hidey-hole is in the pinnace aboard the ship, and his only companions (asides the three seamen) are the pigs, chickens, and goat penned nearby. As he waits for the ship to set sail, more and more people board the ship, including several Gentlemen led by Joseph Banks. Nick also made friends with the Captain's servant boy, John Charlton, who gives Nick bits of morsel whenever he can. 

After being anchored at the port in Plymouth, England, for 19 days, the Endeavour finally sets sail for her around-the-world voyage on the 26th of August, 1768.  Later on during the voyage, Nick realizes that he had just stowed away aboard a very important one. Nothing much happens as they are nearing Spain. All seems calm until the Quartermaster, Mr. Weir, went overboard and drowned in an accident near the Isle of Madeira.

Part II: Crossing the Line [September - October 1768]

After weeks of hiding inside the pinnace, Nick finally gets introduced to Surgeon Monkhouse and his assistant, Mr. Perry, with the help of John Charlton and John Ramsay. Nick will be working for Surgeon Monkhouse before he can join the crew of the Endeavour by becoming A.B. (able-bodied). A few days later, Nick is introduced to the Captain himself, who did not mind bringing along a stowaway. Days past by as the Endeavour is attempting to cross the Atlantic. It's the same routine everyday: the Gentlemen busy with their studies, Nick doing chores around the ship, and so on. But all is not calm for Nick as he is not in good terms with Mr. Bootie, one of the Midshipman. Mr. Bootie randomly picks on Nick while he's doing chores, which Nick doesn't care. Also, Mr. Banks is also gaining interest in Nick.


Part III: Rio [October - December 1768]

The Endeavour finally reaches Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. They tried to get into the port, but runs into some trouble with the Portuguese. After a few days of being held at port by Portuguese soldiers, the Endeavour finally sets sail.

Part  IV: South to Cape Horn [December 1768 - January 1769]

 As the Endeavour is somewhere in the South of the Atlantic, Mr. Bank now takes Nick whenever he goes on a little hunting trip. Nick can imitate bird calls, which Mr. Bank sees it as a use. But as usual, daily ship life continues as they are nearing Tierra del Fuego.

Part V: From the Horn to King George's Land [January - April 1769] 

The Endeavour ran into some natives during their voyage. After peaceful trade negotiations, the Endeavour gets back on course. A few days later, they attempted the Cape, which they succeeded in doing it with no lost of life. After they finally pulled it off, they head towards King George's Land.