Author(s): Jerris Dan

9-11yrs

Al and his best friend Owen are peering into an old sea trunk in Al's attic when, all of a sudden, they find themselves sitting on a small rocky outcrop in the middle of the ocean. Before they know it, a strange, three-legged cat joins them, seemingly scared out of its wits. And to top it all off, a pirate ship sails in to rescue them! The boys hop aboard The Booty, where they meet Captain Gunner, Mahoot, his cabin boy, and Slicer, the cook. Mahoot tells them that they are sailing the Dragon Blood Islands in search of treasure. Bewildered, Al and Owen realise they must have travelled back in time. Al then comes across a map showing where the infamous Death Diamond is hidden, and Captain Gunner and his crew decide to go in search of it. However, they don't realise they are being followed by the nasty one-eyed Snotty Nell, captain of The Tormenter.