Mr. Button

Dick

Mr. Button is Dick's father, providing guidance and authority before his death.

Emmeline

Mr. Button is Emmeline's father, caring for her as a parent.

Paddy Button

Mr. Button and Paddy Button are brothers, sharing a familial bond.

Emmeline

Mr. Button is Emmeline's father, caring for her as a parent.

Paddy Button

Mr. Button and Paddy Button are brothers, sharing a familial bond.

Emmeline

Mr. Button is Emmeline's father, caring for her as a parent.

Dick

Mr. Button is Dick's father, providing guidance and authority before his death.

Dick

Mr. Button is Dick's father, providing guidance and authority before his death.

Paddy Button

Mr. Button and Paddy Button are brothers, sharing a familial bond.

Book I

Mentioned in the context of the ship's crew and the disaster.

I: Where the Slush Lamp Burns

The old Irish sailor, playing fiddle and telling tales of leprechauns, reflecting on his life and drinking.

IV: And Like a Dream Dissolved

Paddy Button rows the dinghy with desperate energy after recalling the blasting powder in the hold, making grimaces that betray his inner terror despite his comical appearance.

V: Voices Heard in the Mist

Takes charge of the dinghy, comforts Emmeline and Dick, sings an old lullaby, and rows blindly through the fog, growing increasingly isolated and fearful.

VI: Dawn on a Wide, Wide Sea

Tries to comfort the children with stories and humor, reflects on his past voyages, and struggles to locate the other boats.

Story of the Pig and the Billy-Goat

Tells stories to entertain the children, including the tale of the pig and the billy-goat.

VIII: “S-H-E-N-A-N-D-O-A-H”

Leads the boarding of the Shenandoah, salvages items, and expresses disgust at book-learning.

IX: Shadows in the Moonlight

Tells the tale of Buck M'Cann, then becomes pensive and fearful as he recalls his past and senses something amiss.

XI: The Island

Leads the escape from the brig, navigates the dinghy through the reef, and worries about the island being inhabited.

XII: The Lake of Azure

Leads the landing, carries Emmeline ashore, finds fresh water and bananas, and plans to build a shelter for the night.

XIII: Death Veiled with Lichen

Leads the exploration, discovers the skull, warns the children about poisonous berries, and scans the horizon.

XIV: Echoes of Fairyland

Tells stories about fairies and Cluricaunes, sharing folklore from his homeland. He tethers Emmeline for her safety.

Fair Pictures in the Blue

Chases Dick with trousers, insists on the children bathing naked, and provides for them by fishing and cooking on the beach.

XVI: The Poetry of Learning

Reluctantly learns to write his name, plays marbles, and is persuaded to build a bamboo house despite preferring rest.

XVII: The Devil's Cask

Hides the children from the whaling ship and later rejoices at finding the rum.

XIX: Starlight on the Foam

Struggles with temptation, hides the rum cask, and eventually gives in to drink, leading to a dangerous swim across the lagoon.

XXII: Alone

His dead body is the source of the children's terror, described as a festering carcass on a coral ledge.

I: Mad Lestrange

The old sailor adrift with the children in Lestrange's vision.