# Tom — Dick Sands, the Boy Captain character guide > Tom in Dick Sands, the Boy Captain by Jules Verne. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** old Tom, Old Tom, poor old Tom **First appearance:** 0002-part-i-iii-a-rescue ## Who they are An elderly former slave whose quiet dignity and steady loyalty make him a moral anchor for the castaways of the Pilgrim. ## Relationships ### [Dick Sands](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/characters/dick_sands) _friendship_ Tom is a loyal and wise old sailor who supports Dick as a trusted friend and advisor. ### [Mrs. Weldon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/characters/mrs_weldon) _professional_ Tom is a trusted sailor and servant in Mrs. Weldon's employ, loyal to her family. ### [Cousin Benedict](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/characters/cousin_benedict) _social_ Cousin Benedict and Tom are fellow passengers with little direct connection beyond shared circumstances. ### [Negoro](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/characters/negoro) _rivalry_ Negoro views Tom as an obstacle and treats him with hostility as part of his criminal plans. ### [Dick Sands](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/characters/dick_sands) _friendship_ Tom is a loyal and wise old sailor who supports Dick as a trusted friend and advisor. ### [Negoro](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/characters/negoro) _rivalry_ Negoro views Tom as an obstacle and treats him with hostility as part of his criminal plans. ### [Dick Sands](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/characters/dick_sands) _friendship_ Tom is a loyal and wise old sailor who supports Dick as a trusted friend and advisor. ### [Mrs. Weldon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/characters/mrs_weldon) _professional_ Tom is a trusted sailor and servant in Mrs. Weldon's employ, loyal to her family. ### [Cousin Benedict](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/characters/cousin_benedict) _social_ Cousin Benedict and Tom are fellow passengers with little direct connection beyond shared circumstances. ### [Mrs. Weldon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/characters/mrs_weldon) _professional_ Tom is a trusted sailor and servant in Mrs. Weldon's employ, loyal to her family. ### [Negoro](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/characters/negoro) _rivalry_ Negoro views Tom as an obstacle and treats him with hostility as part of his criminal plans. ### [Cousin Benedict](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/characters/cousin_benedict) _social_ Cousin Benedict and Tom are fellow passengers with little direct connection beyond shared circumstances. ## In the story ### [The Survivors of the Waldeck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-i-iv-the-survivors-of-the-waldeck) The eldest survivor and spokesman; recounts the collision and their ten-day ordeal. ### [Dick's Promotion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-i-ix-dick-s-promotion) Speaks for the crew, pledging obedience and willingness to learn. ### [The New Crew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-i-x-the-new-crew) Appointed boatswain, takes a watch, learns to steer, and addresses Dick as 'Captain Sands.' ### [Rough Weather](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-i-xi-rough-weather) Assists with the log line and later takes the helm during the storm; demonstrates loyalty and competence. ### [Hope Revived](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-i-xii-hope-revived) Keeps watch with Bat at the wheel, raises alarm when Negoro falls against the binnacle. ### [Land at Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-i-xiii-land-at-last) Helps with the sails and later gives false alarms about seeing land; part of the crew's efforts. ### [XIV: Ashore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-i-xiv-ashore) Assists Dick in salvaging the wreck and is chosen to accompany him on the exploration mission. ### [A Stranger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-i-xv-a-stranger) Proudly asserts his freedom and that of his companions after Harris's offensive question about slavery. ### [XVIII: A Terrible Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-i-xviii-a-terrible-discovery) Tom discovers the mutilated remains and is haunted by memories of slavery, recognizing the chains and forks. ### [I: The Dark Continent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-ii-i-the-dark-continent) One of the negroes with the group, who would be a tempting target for slave-drivers. ### [On the March Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-ii-iii-on-the-march-again) Sworn to secrecy by Dick; agrees to help keep the truth from Mrs. Weldon and the others. ### [Rough Travelling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-ii-iv-rough-travelling) Advises Dick, recognizes the danger of native camps, and mournfully observes the slave-trade evidence. ### [White Ants](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-ii-v-white-ants) Questions Benedict about Africa; occupies a lower tier in the anthill. ### [A Diving-Bell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-ii-vi-a-diving-bell) Urges quick action and suggests making another opening; is captured and fettered with the others. ### [A Slave Caravan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-ii-vii-a-slave-caravan) Captured and yoked with Bat; Dick tries to communicate with him about the caravan's destination. ### [Notes by the Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-ii-viii-notes-by-the-way) Tom is seen weeping under the havildar's whip, supported by his son Bat. ### [Kazonndé](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-ii-ix-kazonnd) Imprisoned with the others, nearly exhausted from the journey, and protests their freedom to Alvez. ### [Market-Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-ii-x-market-day) Sold at the market along with his three friends; fears separation but is bought together by an Arab dealer. ### [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 Happy Reunion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-ii-xx-a-happy-reunion) One of the four negroes sold in Madagascar; ransomed by Mr. Weldon and arrives home on November 15, 1877. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/characters/tom - 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