# Neb — The Mysterious Island character guide > Neb in The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Poor Neb, the despairing Neb **First appearance:** 0001-i ## Snapshot A freed slave who refused to leave his master, he is devotion itself—cook, laborer, and the first to despair when Smith is lost. ## Who they are Neb was born on Cyrus Smith's estate and, though legally free, chose to follow the engineer into war and captivity, a loyalty that defines him more than any skill. His tension is the helplessness of loving someone he cannot always protect; when Smith vanishes, Neb's grief becomes the colony's emotional anchor. He matters because his faithfulness converts a group of strangers into a family, and his hands keep that family fed and sheltered. ## Relationships ### [Cyrus Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters/cyrus_smith) _friendship_ Neb is Cyrus Smith's devoted former servant and loyal friend, whose unwavering dedication borders on familial devotion. ### [Pencroff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters/pencroff) _friendship_ Neb and Pencroff are good-natured companions, working together on practical tasks with mutual respect and occasional teasing. ### [Herbert Brown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters/herbert_brown) _friendship_ Herbert and Neb share a warm, affectionate bond, with Neb often looking after the boy with gentle care. ### [Gideon Spilett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters/gideon_spilett) _friendship_ Gideon Spilett and Neb are friendly and cooperative, working together harmoniously in the colony's daily life. ### [Top](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters/top) _friendship_ Neb and Top share a close, affectionate bond, with Top often following Neb and responding to his care. ### [Jup](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters/jup) _friendship_ Jup, the orangutan, is a playful and loyal companion to Neb, who often feeds and trains him. ### [Ayrton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters/ayrton) _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_ Neb is Cyrus Smith's devoted former servant and loyal friend, whose unwavering dedication borders on familial devotion. ### [Pencroff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters/pencroff) _friendship_ Neb and Pencroff are good-natured companions, working together on practical tasks with mutual respect and occasional teasing. ### [Pencroff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters/pencroff) _friendship_ Neb and Pencroff are good-natured companions, working together on practical tasks with mutual respect and occasional teasing. ### [Herbert Brown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters/herbert_brown) _friendship_ Herbert and Neb share a warm, affectionate bond, with Neb often looking after the boy with gentle care. ### [Herbert Brown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters/herbert_brown) _friendship_ Herbert and Neb share a warm, affectionate bond, with Neb often looking after the boy with gentle care. ## In the story ### [Part I: Shipwrecked in the Air](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/part-i-shipwrecked-in-the-air) Cyrus Smith's loyal servant; devastated by Smith's disappearance. ### [The Hurricane of 1865](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/i) Passenger in the balloon; later searches for the missing Cyrus Smith. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/ii) Loyal servant of Cyrus Smith, follows his master without question into the dangerous escape. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/iii) Despairing over the loss of his master; bravely swims across the channel to reach the mainland. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/iv) Referenced as having been searched for by the reporter earlier. ### [Arranging the Chimneys](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/v) Returns weeping and hopeless after failing to find Cyrus Smith; refuses to rest and spends the night wandering the shore calling for his master. ### [The Castaways' Inventory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/vi) Grieves for Cyrus Smith and searches the coast northward, refusing to believe his master is dead. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/viii) Devoted servant of Cyrus Smith, who discovered the footprints and led the search. Initially believed his master dead, but is overjoyed to find him alive. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/ix) Overjoyed at finding his master alive, he helps gather food and wood. ### [The Ascent of the Volcano](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/x) Assists Pencroff with roasting the cabiai and helps lead the climb. ### [Chapter XI: At the Summit of the Cone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xi) Proposes 'Claw Cape' and shows enthusiasm for the naming process. ### [Exploration of Lake Grant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xii) Watches Top during the hunt; retrieves agoutis from the dog; cooks the meal. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xiii) Brings provisions; assists in brickmaking and pottery. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xiv) Discovers the oyster bed and collects oysters for breakfast. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xv) Assists in skinning seals and carrying equipment, and works on forging tools. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xvi) Climbs to the plateau with Herbert; kills a large serpent during the walk. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xvii) Prepares breakfast and is detailed to extract dugong fat and preserve the flesh. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xviii) Helps with the picks and torches, shows reverence by removing his hat in the cavern. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xix) Works with courage and self-denial, becomes great friends with Pencroff, and serves as head cook. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xx) Servant who spends time smoking and salting meat, and helps with the seal hunt. ### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xxi) Prepares the meal during the exploration. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xxii) Laughs at Pencroff's bear comment, varies rabbit sauces, and helps with fuel collection and basket storage. ### [Part II: The Abandoned](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/part-ii-the-abandoned) Supports the group with loyalty and domestic tasks. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xxiii) Incredulous about building a boat in five days; helps Herbert retrieve the turtle and is puzzled by its escape. ### [Trial of the Canoe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xxiv) Helps dig out the box and assists in opening it; comments on the canoe leaking. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xxv) Packs provisions and rows the canoe; helps keep the fire lit during the night. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xxvi) Carries provisions, helps Pencroff with crawfish, and skins the jaguar. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xxvii) Provides provisions for the journey and helps recover the canoe; discovers the ladder is missing. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xxviii) Disconsolate at being unable to return to the kitchen; later captures the orangutan in the corridor. ### [Projects and Progress on Lincoln Island](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xxix) Calls attention to the need for a poultry yard and rekindles the range after the monkey intrusion. ### [Clothing, Corral, and Cultivation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xxx) Cook who prepares turtle soup and other meals, and trains Jup the orangutan as a domestic helper. ### [Bad Weather and New Discoveries](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xxxi) Cares for the domesticated animals, including the new onager and moufflons, and oversees the piccaries pen. ### [Ship building](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xxxii) Attends to domestic duties with Jup and spots the beached whale from the kitchen. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xxxiv) Returns from hunting with game, calls for Jup after the battle, and kneels beside the wounded monkey, declaring he is alive. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xxxv) Stays behind at Granite House with Cyrus Smith, waving farewell to the departing crew. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xxxvii) Expresses joy at the return of the party and assists in the care of the Unknown. ### [A Mystery to Be Solved](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xxxviii) Participates in the search when the Unknown flees, and works alongside the others on the plateau. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xxxix) Busy with work at the stables, poultry-yard, and corral. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xl) Participates in the daily work; comments on the snow-like phenomenon. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xli) Comments on the possibility of the Duncan having visited, and remains at Granite House with Ayrton and Jup. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xlii) Expresses unease in Shark Gulf and discusses the mysteries with Pencroff. ### [Part III: The Secret of the Island](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/part-iii-the-secret-of-the-island) Remains loyal and assists in the colony's final days on Lincoln Island. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xliii) Remains calm; helps conceal the mill and other signs of habitation. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xliv) Helps Pencroff retrieve the canoe for Ayrton's mission. ### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xlv) Hides at the mouth of the Mercy with Spilett; fires on the second pirate boat. ### [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xlvi) Prepares breakfast for the group and participates in salvage work. ### [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xlvii) Suggests that the mysterious benefactor will only be found when he chooses to reveal himself. ### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xlviii) Servant left behind to guard Granite House while the others go to the corral. ### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xlix) Sends a reply via Top confirming Granite House is safe and he will stay put. ### [LI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/li) Sends a warning note via Jup about the convicts on Prospect Plateau; found running among the burning buildings. ### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/lii) Relates the convict attack on the plateau; sent Jup to warn the corral; helps put out the fire and tends to Herbert. ### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/liii) Prepares nourishing meals for Herbert; walks by the onagers during the expedition. ### [LV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/lv) Assists in examining the bodies of the dead convicts. ### [LVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/lvi) Serves as chief cook, storing the abundant food supplies; laughs at Spilett's desire for a newspaper. ### [LVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/lvii) Takes the lantern and rows the canoe during the exploration of the cavern. ### [Captain Nemo's Revelation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/lviii) Present with the others, witnessing the revelation of the island's mysterious benefactor. ### [LX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/lx) Servant; assists in recovering wire from Crypt Dakkar and works on the ship. ### [LXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/lxi) Questions whether Captain Nemo's presence could have prevented the disaster; works tirelessly alongside the others. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters/neb - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters