Vanderdecken stared through the mad blood-flecked eyes at the lad and his dog, who had been cast away from his ship, long ago, by an angel from heaven . . . Ben and Ned have travelled far and wide since the last days of the Flying Dutchman. When the ship was wrecked its crew and captain were cursed to an eternity on the high seas. The boy and his dog escaped, travelling through centuries, never growing a day older - but the ship is always waiting or them. Now they are back at sea, facing danger and adventure with a group of buccaneers - always knowing that Captain Vanderdecken and his crew are never far behind . . .