# Ayrton — The Mysterious Island character guide > Ayrton in The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Poor Ayrton **First appearance:** 0024-xxiii ## Snapshot A hardened former mutineer who volunteers to swim alone toward a hostile ship, gambling his life to prove he is not what he was. ## Who they are Ayrton lives among the colonists as a man with a criminal past and a fierce, unspoken need for redemption, his old companion Bob Harvey now commanding the pirate brig offshore. When he strips, greases himself, and slips into dark water to scout the enemy ship, the scene fuses his physical courage with his moral reckoning. His willingness to risk everything for people who once doubted him gives the middle arc its gravest and most human stakes. ## Relationships ### [Cyrus Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters/cyrus_smith) _friendship_ Ayrton, once a criminal, finds redemption through Cyrus Smith's trust and leadership, forming a bond of gratitude and loyalty. ### [Pencroff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters/pencroff) _friendship_ Ayrton and Pencroff develop a solid working friendship, with Pencroff initially wary but eventually accepting Ayrton's redemption. ### [Herbert Brown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters/herbert_brown) _friendship_ Ayrton and Herbert share a gentle, redemptive friendship, with Herbert's innocence helping Ayrton reintegrate into the group. ### [Neb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters/neb) _friendship_ Ayrton and Neb share a quiet, respectful friendship, with Neb's forgiving nature helping Ayrton feel accepted. ### [Cyrus Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters/cyrus_smith) _friendship_ Ayrton, once a criminal, finds redemption through Cyrus Smith's trust and leadership, forming a bond of gratitude and loyalty. ### [Pencroff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters/pencroff) _friendship_ Ayrton and Pencroff develop a solid working friendship, with Pencroff initially wary but eventually accepting Ayrton's redemption. ### [Cyrus Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters/cyrus_smith) _friendship_ Ayrton, once a criminal, finds redemption through Cyrus Smith's trust and leadership, forming a bond of gratitude and loyalty. ### [Pencroff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters/pencroff) _friendship_ Ayrton and Pencroff develop a solid working friendship, with Pencroff initially wary but eventually accepting Ayrton's redemption. ### [Herbert Brown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters/herbert_brown) _friendship_ Ayrton and Herbert share a gentle, redemptive friendship, with Herbert's innocence helping Ayrton reintegrate into the group. ### [Neb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters/neb) _friendship_ Ayrton and Neb share a quiet, respectful friendship, with Neb's forgiving nature helping Ayrton feel accepted. ## In the story ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xxxix) Reveals his identity as Ben Joyce, recounts his past crimes and years of isolation on Tabor Island, and chooses to live at the corral. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xl) Returns to the corral and resumes care of the herd; the mystery of the bottle he supposedly threw is discussed. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xli) Chooses to stay on shore during the exploration; his past and connection to Lord Glenarvan are discussed. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xlii) Returns to Granite House for winter, remains humble and sad, and later repairs the corral. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xliii) Recalled from the corral; identifies the ship as not the Duncan and later recognizes the black flag; resolves to do his duty. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xliv) Ex-convict who heroically swims to the pirate ship, learns the crew's strength, and attempts to blow up the magazine despite being wounded. ### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xlv) Accompanies Pencroff on the islet; shoots the helmsman and the man with the line. ### [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xlvi) Assists in salvage; recognizes Bob Harvey's body and reflects on his own past. ### [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xlvii) Hesitates to give counsel on the convicts, recalling his own past as a wild beast. ### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xlviii) Castaway who returns to the corral but fails to respond to telegrams, prompting concern. ### [L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/l) Mentioned as possibly dead or captured by convicts; his absence is noted by Herbert. ### [LV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/lv) Recounts his capture and imprisonment by the convicts; found alive and reunited with the colonists. ### [LVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/lvi) Participates in colony life and helps with shipbuilding; remains quiet and uncommunicative. ### [LVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/lvii) Silently reflects on his transformation and desire to see Lord Glenarvan; rows the canoe. ### [The Last Hours of Captain Nemo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/lix) Wipes away a tear at Nemo's death and comments on the Nautilus's potential use. ### [LX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/lx) Former castaway; accompanies Smith to the corral and tends to the animals. ### [LXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/lxi) Returns from the corral with Smith; assists in preparations for the ship launch. ### [LXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/lxii) Saves the coffer at risk of his life; first to spot the Duncan; his expiation is recognized by Smith. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters/ayrton - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters