# Hercules — Dick Sands, the Boy Captain character guide > Hercules in Dick Sands, the Boy Captain by Jules Verne. **Role:** supporting **First appearance:** 0002-part-i-iii-a-rescue ## Snapshot A powerful former slave among the Pilgrim's crew, whose immense strength and unshakable loyalty make him Dick Sands's most valuable ally in a hostile land. ## Who they are Hercules stands out among the ship's company for his physical might and his steadfast devotion to Dick and the Weldon family. When the survivors find themselves stranded in unknown territory, his courage and endurance become the group's last line of defense against both human predators and the wilderness itself. Negoro dismisses him as dead, but Hercules's survival—and his determination to protect those he serves—hangs over the villain's schemes like a reckoning waiting to happen. ## Relationships ### [Dick Sands](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/characters/dick_sands) _friendship_ Hercules is a strong and devoted friend who aids Dick in dangerous situations. ### [Mrs. Weldon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/characters/mrs_weldon) _professional_ Hercules serves as a protector and helper to Mrs. Weldon during their ordeal. ### [Jack Weldon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/characters/jack_weldon) _friendship_ Hercules is a kind and protective friend to young Jack, often keeping him safe. ### [Cousin Benedict](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/characters/cousin_benedict) _social_ Cousin Benedict interacts with Hercules as a fellow traveler, often distracted by his insect collecting. ### [Jack Weldon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/characters/jack_weldon) _friendship_ Hercules is a kind and protective friend to young Jack, often keeping him safe. ### [Dick Sands](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/characters/dick_sands) _friendship_ Hercules is a strong and devoted friend who aids Dick in dangerous situations. ### [Dick Sands](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/characters/dick_sands) _friendship_ Hercules is a strong and devoted friend who aids Dick in dangerous situations. ### [Mrs. Weldon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/characters/mrs_weldon) _professional_ Hercules serves as a protector and helper to Mrs. Weldon during their ordeal. ### [Mrs. Weldon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/characters/mrs_weldon) _professional_ Hercules serves as a protector and helper to Mrs. Weldon during their ordeal. ### [Cousin Benedict](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/characters/cousin_benedict) _social_ Cousin Benedict interacts with Hercules as a fellow traveler, often distracted by his insect collecting. ### [Jack Weldon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/characters/jack_weldon) _friendship_ Hercules is a kind and protective friend to young Jack, often keeping him safe. ## In the story ### [VII: Preparations for an Attack](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-i-vii-preparations-for-an-attack) Volunteers assistance and is asked by Dick to keep an eye on Negoro after Dingo's aggressive reaction. ### [The New Crew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-i-x-the-new-crew) Uses his great strength in handling ropes, though cautioned by Dick; jokingly blames Jack for breaking a rope. ### [Rough Weather](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-i-xi-rough-weather) Stays on deck to slacken halyards during the storm, contributing to the crew's efforts. ### [Hope Revived](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-i-xii-hope-revived) On watch at the fore, first to spot the land (Easter Island), and assists Mrs. Weldon back to her cabin. ### [Land at Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-i-xiii-land-at-last) Eager to work; humorously inflates his cheeks to mimic the wind; assists in hoisting sails and later helps with the oil barrels. ### [Through the Forest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-i-xvi-through-the-forest) Volunteers to watch over Cousin Benedict and reassures Jack about panthers. ### [I: The Dark Continent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-ii-i-the-dark-continent) Part of the band of negroes with Dick, vulnerable to capture. ### [On the March Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-ii-iii-on-the-march-again) Carries little Jack gently; calls for the missing Dingo. ### [Rough Travelling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-ii-iv-rough-travelling) Uses his strength to clear paths with an axe, carries Jack, and reassures the boy during the storm. ### [White Ants](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-ii-v-white-ants) Assists in preparing the anthill for shelter; eventually falls asleep. ### [A Diving-Bell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-ii-vi-a-diving-bell) Assists Dick by holding the lantern and providing a platform to reach the summit; after capture, he kills two natives and escapes into the woods. ### [A Slave Caravan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-ii-vii-a-slave-caravan) Escaped capture; Dick hopes he will infiltrate the camp and help rescue Mrs. Weldon. ### [Notes by the Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-ii-viii-notes-by-the-way) Hercules sends a note via Dingo, reporting that Mrs. Weldon, Jack, and Benedict are in a kitanda ahead. ### [A Ray of Hope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-ii-xiv-a-ray-of-hope) Mentioned by Jack as someone they could take to go to his father. ### [A Magician](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-ii-xvi-a-magician) Disguised as the mganga (magician); uses the role to rescue Mrs. Weldon and Jack from the hostile crowd. ### [Drifting Down the Stream](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-ii-xvii-drifting-down-the-stream) Heroically rescues Dick and Mrs. Weldon by impersonating a mganga; steers the canoe and finds a boat. ### [An Anxious Voyage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-ii-xviii-an-anxious-voyage) Assists Dick with steering and listening for danger, and suggests eating fern-fronds and papyrus pith. ### [XIX: An Attack](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-ii-xix-an-attack) Pursues Dingo and Negoro, arrives too late to save Dingo, and is left to guard the group during Dick's scouting. ### [A Happy Reunion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-ii-xx-a-happy-reunion) Honored as a true and faithful friend by Mr. Weldon; inadvertently caught the spider that Benedict thought was a new species. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/characters/hercules - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/characters