Mary Louise Clifford

The Youngest Navigator is based on a chapter from the Portuguese Chronicles telling of a voyage in 1446 down the coast of Africa. Prince Henry the Navigator is seeking a way around Africa, and sends Nuno Tristam in a caravel to make contact with the people of Guinea.
They anchor in the Gambia River so the officers and crew can go up the river in longboats. Hostile natives attack them with poisoned arrows. Only the four teen-age boys left on the ship survive. Airas Tinoco, who has shadowed the navgiator on the southbound voyage, takes charge of the return voyage.
To avoid sand bars and shoals along the coast, they must sail far out to sea against the prevailing winds. After two long months at sea, his companions think Airas has gotten them completely lost. Will they ever see Portugal again?