Chapter 1: When the German submarines arrive to patrol the island of Curacao, off the coast of Venezuela, eleven-year-old Phillip is excited. School is cancelled for the day and the prospect of war fascinates young Phillip. He and his best friend in the town of Willemstad, Henrik van Boven, ignore their mother's admonitions to stay away from the harbor. Phillip and Henrik often spend time at the harbor, imagining that the cargo-laden ships manned by black Caribbean sailors are enemy pirates. The sailors enjoy playing along with the boys' imagination, shooting pretend guns as the boys pretend to defend Willemstad from pirates. Thus the arrival of the Germans at first seems no different to the boys. Yet when they arrive at the harbor, they find no cargo ships on the sea and the townsmen wield real guns as they man Willemstad's ancient fort. (read more)
