Captain Jonsen

Emily Thornton

Captain Jonsen is both fascinated and unnerved by Emily's detached, amoral nature, creating a dynamic of uneasy captor and enigmatic captive.

Otto

Captain Jonsen commands Otto as a crew member, relying on him for practical tasks but sharing little personal connection.

Edward Thornton

Captain Jonsen views Edward as a troublesome older child captive, their interactions tinged with mutual suspicion and tension.

Captain Marpole

Captain Jonsen and Captain Marpole are fellow sea captains who share a professional acquaintance, often discussing maritime matters.

Rachel Thornton

Captain Jonsen sees Rachel as a more conventional, frightened child, and his interactions with her are marked by awkward pity and guilt.

Margaret Fernandez

Captain Jonsen feels a strange, uneasy protectiveness toward Margaret, seeing her as a vulnerable child among his captives.

Emily Thornton

Captain Jonsen is both fascinated and unnerved by Emily's detached, amoral nature, creating a dynamic of uneasy captor and enigmatic captive.

Otto

Captain Jonsen commands Otto as a crew member, relying on him for practical tasks but sharing little personal connection.

Captain Marpole

Captain Jonsen and Captain Marpole are fellow sea captains who share a professional acquaintance, often discussing maritime matters.

Emily Thornton

Captain Jonsen is both fascinated and unnerved by Emily's detached, amoral nature, creating a dynamic of uneasy captor and enigmatic captive.

Edward Thornton

Captain Jonsen views Edward as a troublesome older child captive, their interactions tinged with mutual suspicion and tension.

Otto

Captain Jonsen commands Otto as a crew member, relying on him for practical tasks but sharing little personal connection.

II

Leader of the pirates; speaks with a German accent, claims a commission in the Columbian navy, and orchestrates the capture and looting.

III

Busy sorting and disposing of identifiable items from the barque; frustrated by the Clorinda's escape.

IV

Sets up the sleeping area for the children, hangs about awkwardly trying to help, then leaves through the fore-hatch.

IV

Captain Jonsen displays an unexpected gentleness toward Emily, treating her almost like a daughter.

I

Blushes when Emily calls him silly; argues with buyers during the auction and storms off.

II

Dines with the Chief Magistrate; tries to arrange leaving the children at Santa Lucia.

III

Jonsen sends a boat ashore to get water while becalmed off the Mangrove Keys.

V

Takes the wheel from the mate during the squall, later rebukes the children for tobogganing, and expresses frustration at having to care for them.

VI

Captain Jonsen is increasingly conflicted about the children's presence on his ship. He shows moments of unexpected kindness but remains a figure of authority and danger.

II

Drunk and aggressive during the incident; has his thumb bitten by Emily; avoids her afterward, seeming more ashamed than angry.

I

The coarse-looking pirate captain is the object of Laura's devotion, though his character remains opaque.

II

Reconciles with Emily, tends to her wound, shares childhood memories, and later participates in capturing the Dutch steamer and goading the animals.

I

Captain Jonsen decides to change course to Santa Lucia and imposes stricter discipline on the crew.

II

Seldom comes below; Emily is fond of him and fascinated by his scarred hands, but she also suspects he might kill her.

III

Struggles with melancholy and frustration, loses his temper with the children, and physically disciplines Rachel.

V

Spots a threatening sail and attempts to secure Emily's loyalty through emotional manipulation.

IX

Captain Jonsen displays an unexpected tenderness toward Emily, treating her almost like a daughter and giving her small privileges.

I

Tormented by fear of a man-of-war, he paces the deck, climbs the rigging, and descends to check on the sleeping children.

II

Agitated and anxious, Jonsen decides to disguise the schooner and send the children away, even joking about sewing them in bags.

III

Arranges the transfer of the children to the steamer and returns in a hurry, mopping his forehead.

IV

Feels relief after the children are gone, reflects on his clever plan, and is unexpectedly overcome with memories of Emily.

I

Mentioned indirectly as the captain of the schooner; Emily refuses to talk about him or the pirates.

III

Captain Jonsen is imprisoned in Newgate with Otto and the crew; Laura imagines God with his face.

V

Mentioned as the pirate captain the children grew fond of during their captivity.

VI

Captain Jonsen is in court with the crew, huddled in a pen. He appears thinner, and his face bears a terrible look when his eyes meet Emily's.

VII

Attempts suicide by cutting his throat the night before execution; is carried unconscious to the gallows and hanged in a chair.