'A single ball came through at deck level It struck a burst of sparks from the steel hull like Brocks Fireworks at Crystal palace brilliant orange even in the strong sunlight & the hole it tore through Black Joke's plating was fringed with bare jagged tongues of metal like the petals of a silver sunflower.' In search of a father they barely remember Zouga & Dr Robyn Ballantyne board Mungo St John's magnificent clipper to speed them to Africa. But long before they sight that mighty continent Robyn knows that she & Mungo will battle with all the fury of natural enemies -- & love with all the desperation of those unable to evade the commands of fate. For if she can bring hope & healing to Africa's fever-ridden shores he a lawless trader in human cargo will possess any man -- or woman -- he chooses...