Tales of Daring and Danger
Play Sample
A BRUSH WITH THE CHINESE,
AND WHAT CAME OF IT.
T was early in December that H. M. S. Perseus was cruising off the mouth of the Canton River. War had been declared with China in consequence of her continued evasions of the treaty she had made with us, and it was expected that a strong naval force would soon gather to bring her to reason. In the meantime the ships on the station had a busy time of it, chasing the enemy's junks when they ventured to show themselves beyond the reach of the guns of their forts, and occasionally having a brush with the piratical boats which took advantage of the general confusion to plunder friend as well as foe.
The Perseus had that afternoon chased two Government junks up a creek. The sun had already set when they took refuge there, and the captain did not care to send his boats after them in the dark, as many of the creeks ran up for miles into the flat country; and as they not unfrequently had many arms or branches, the boats might, in the dark, miss the junks altogether. Orders were issued that four boats should be ready for starting at daybreak the next morning. The Perseus anchored off the mouth of the creek, and two boats were ordered to row backwards and forwards off its mouth all night to insure that the enemy did not slip out in the darkness.
Jack Fothergill, the senior midshipman, was commanding the gig, and two of the other midshipmen were going in the pinnace and launch, commanded respectively by the first lieutenant and the master. The three other midshipmen of the Perseus were loud in their lamentations that they were not to take share in the fun.
"You can't all go, you know," Fothergill said, "and it's no use making a row about it; the captain has been very good to let three of us go."
"It's all very well for you, Jack," Percy Adcock, the youngest of the lads, replied, "because you are one of those chosen; and it is not so hard for Simmons and Linthorpe, because they went the other day in the boat that chased those junks under shelter of the guns of their battery, but I haven't had a chance for ever so long."
"What fun was there in chasing the junks?"Simmons said."We never got near the brutes till they were close to their battery, and then just as the first shot came singing from their guns, and we thought that we were going to have some excitement, the first lieutenant sung out 'Easy all,' and there was nothing for it but to turn round and to row for the ship, and a nice hot row it was—two hours and a half in a broiling sun.Of course I am not blaming Oliphant, for the captain's orders were strict that we were not to try to cut the junks out if they got under the guns of any of their batteries.Still it was horribly annoying, and I do think the captain might have remembered what beastly luck we had last time, and given us a chance to-morrow."
"It is clear we could not all go," Fothergill said, "and naturally enough the captain chose the three seniors.Besides, if you did have bad luck last time, you had your chance, and I don't suppose we shall have anything more exciting now; these fellows always set fire to their junks and row for the shore directly they see us, after firing a shot or two wildly in our direction."
"Well, Jack, if you don't expect any fun," Simmons replied, "perhaps you wouldn't mind telling the first lieutenant you do not care for going, and that I am very anxious to take your place.Perhaps he will be good enough to allow me to relieve you."
"A likely thing that!"Fothergill laughed."No, Tom, I am sorry you are not going, but you must make the best of it till another chance comes."
"Don't you think, Jack," Percy Adcock said to his senior in a coaxing tone later on, "you could manage to smuggle me into the boat with you?"
"Not I, Percy.Suppose you got hurt, what would the captain say then?And firing as wildly as the Chinese do, a shot is just as likely to hit your little carcase as to lodge in one of the sailors.No, you must just make the best of it, Percy, and I promise you that next time there is a boat expedition, if you are not put in, I will say a good word to the first luff for you."
"That promise is better than nothing," the boy said; "but I would a deal rather go this time and take my chance next."
"But you see you can't, Percy, and there's no use talking any more about it.I really do not expect there will be any fighting.Two junks would hardly make any opposition to the boats of the ship, and I expect we shall be back by nine o'clock with the news that they were well on fire before we came up."
Percy Adcock, however, was determined, if possible, to go.He was a favourite among the men, and when he spoke to the bow oar of the gig, the latter promised to do anything he could to aid him to carry out his wishes.
"We are to start at daybreak, Tom, so that it will be quite dark when the boats are lowered. I will creep into the gig before that and hide myself as well as I can under your thwart, and all you have got to do is to take no notice of me. When the boat is lowered I think they will hardly make me out from the deck, especially as you will be standing up in the bow holding on with the boat-hook till the rest get on board."
"Well, sir, I will do my best; but if you are caught you must not let out that I knew anything about it."
"I won't do that," Percy said."I don't think there is much chance of my being noticed until we get on board the junks, and then they won't know which boat I came off in, and the first lieutenant will be too busy to blow me up.Of course I shall get it when I am on board again, but I don't mind that so that I see the fun.Besides, I want to send home some things to my sister, and she will like them all the better if I can tell her I captured them on board some junks we seized and burnt."
The next morning the crews mustered before daybreak. Percy had already taken his place under the bow thwart of the gig. The davits were swung overboard, and two men took their places in her as she was lowered down by the falls. As soon as she touched the water the rest of the crew clambered down by the ladder and took their places; then Fothergill took his seat in the stern, and the boat pushed off and lay a few lengths away from the ship until the heavier boats put off.As soon as they were under way Percy crawled out from his hiding-place and placed himself in the bow, where he was sheltered by the body of the oarsmen from Fothergill's sight.
Day was just breaking now, but it was still dark on the water, and the boat rowed very slowly until it became lighter.Percy could just make out the shores of the creek on both sides; they were but two or three feet above the level of the water, and were evidently submerged at high tide.The creek was about a hundred yards wide, and the lad could not see far ahead, for it was full of sharp windings and turnings.Here and there branches joined it, but the boats were evidently following the main channel.After another half-hour's rowing the first lieutenant suddenly gave the order, "Easy all," and the men, looking over their shoulders, saw a village a quarter of a mile ahead, with the two junks they had chased the night before lying in front of it.Almost at the same moment a sudden uproar was heard—drums were beaten and gongs sounded.
"They are on the look-out for us," the first lieutenant said."Mr. Mason, do you keep with me and attack the junk highest up the river; Mr. Bellew and Mr. Fothergill, do you take the one lower down.Row on, men."
The oars all touched the water together, and the four boats leapt forward.In a minute a scattering fire of gingals and matchlocks was opened from the junks, and the bullets pattered on the water round the boats.Percy was kneeling up in the bow now.As they passed a branch channel three or four hundred yards from the village, he started and leapt to his feet.
"There are four or five junks in that passage, Fothergill; they are poling out."
The first lieutenant heard the words.
"Row on, men; let us finish with these craft ahead before the others get out.This must be that piratical village we have heard about, Mr. Mason, as lying up one of these creeks; that accounts for those two junks not going higher up.I was surprised at seeing them here, for they might guess that we should try to get them this morning.Evidently they calculated on catching us in a trap."
Percy was delighted at finding that, in the excitement caused by his news, the first lieutenant had forgotten to take any notice of his being there without orders, and he returned a defiant nod to the threat conveyed by Fothergill shaking his fist at him.As they neared the junks the fire of those on board redoubled, and was aided by that of many villagers gathered on the bank of the creek.Suddenly from a bank of rushes four cannons were fired.A ball struck the pinnace, smashing in her side.The other boats gathered hastily round and took her crew on board, and then dashed at the junks, which were but a hundred yards distant.The valour of the Chinese evaporated as they saw the boats approaching, and scores of them leapt overboard and swam for shore.
In another minute the boats were alongside and the crews scrambling up the sides of the junks.A few Chinamen only attempted to oppose them.These were speedily overcome, and the British had now time to look round, and saw that six junks crowded with men had issued from the side creek and were making towards them.
"Let the boats tow astern," the lieutenant ordered."We should have to run the gauntlet of that battery on shore if we were to attack them, and might lose another boat before we reached their side.We will fight them here."
The junks approached, those on board firing their guns, yelling and shouting, while the drums and gongs were furiously beaten.
"They will find themselves mistaken, Percy, if they think they are going to frighten us with all that row," Fothergill said."You young rascal, how did you get on board the boat without being seen?The captain will be sure to suspect I had a hand in concealing you."
The tars were now at work firing the gingals attached to the bulwarks and the matchlocks, with which the deck was strewn, at the approaching junks.As they took steady aim, leaning their pieces on the bulwarks, they did considerable execution among the Chinamen crowded on board the junks, while the shot of the Chinese, for the most part, whistled far overhead; but the guns of the shore battery, which had now been slewed round to bear upon them, opened with a better aim, and several shots came crashing into the sides of the two captured junks.
"Get ready to board, lads!"Lieutenant Oliphant shouted."Don't wait for them to board you, but the moment they come alongside lash their rigging to ours and spring on board them."
The leading junk was now about twenty yards away, and presently grated alongside.Half-a-dozen sailors at once sprang into her rigging with ropes, and after lashing the junks together leaped down upon her deck, where Fothergill was leading the gig's crew and some of those rescued from the pinnace, while Mr. Bellew, with another party, had boarded her at the stern.Several of the Chinese fought stoutly, but the greater part lost heart at seeing themselves attacked by the "white devils," instead of, as they expected, overwhelming them by their superior numbers.Many began at once to jump overboard, and after two or three minutes' sharp fighting, the rest either followed their example or were beaten below.
Fothergill looked round.The other junk had been attacked by two of the enemy, one on each side, and the little body of sailors were gathered in her waist, and were defending themselves against an overwhelming number of the enemy.
The other three piratical junks had been carried somewhat up the creek by the tide that was sweeping inward, and could not for the moment take part in the fight.
"Mr. Oliphant is hard pressed, sir."He asked the master: "Shall we take to the boats?"
"That will be the best plan," Mr. Bellew replied."Quick, lads, get the boats alongside and tumble in; there is not a moment to be lost."
The crew at once sprang to the boats and rowed to the other junk, which was but some thirty yards away.
The Chinese, absorbed in their contest with the crew of the pinnace, did not perceive the new-comers until they gained the deck, and with a shout fell furiously upon them.In their surprise and consternation the pirates did not pause to note that they were still five to one superior in number, but made a precipitate rush for their own vessels.The English at once took the offensive.The first lieutenant with his party boarded one, while the new-comers leapt on to the deck of the other.The panic which had seized the Chinese was so complete that they attempted no resistance whatever, but sprang overboard in great numbers and swam to the shore, which was but twenty yards away, and in three minutes the English were in undisputed possession of both vessels.
"Back again, Mr. Fothergill, or you will lose the craft you captured," Lieutenant Oliphant said; "they have already cut her free."
The Chinese, indeed, who had been beaten below by the boarding party, had soon perceived the sudden departure of their captors, and gaining the deck again had cut the lashings which fastened them to the other junk, and were proceeding to hoist their sails.They were too late, however.Almost before the craft had way on her Fothergill and his crew were alongside.The Chinese did not wait for the attack, but at once sprang overboard and made for the shore.The other three junks, seeing the capture of their comrades, had already hoisted their sails and were making up the creek.Fothergill dropped an anchor, left four of his men in charge, and rowed back to Mr. Oliphant.
"What shall we do next, sir?"
"We will give those fellows on shore a lesson, and silence their battery.Two men have been killed since you left.We must let the other junks go for the present.Four of my men were killed and eleven wounded before Mr. Bellew and you came to our assistance.The Chinese were fighting pluckily up to that time, and it would have gone very hard with us if you had not been at hand; the beggars will fight when they think they have got it all their own way.But before we land we will set fire to the five junks we have taken.Do you return and see that the two astern are well lighted, Mr. Fothergill; Mr. Mason will see to these three.When you have done your work take to your boat and lay off till I join you; keep the junks between you and the shore, to protect you from the fire of the rascals there."
"I cannot come with you, I suppose, Fothergill?"Percy Adcock said, as the midshipman was about to descend into his boat again.
"Yes, come along, Percy.It doesn't matter what you do now.The captain will be so pleased when he hears that we have captured and burnt five junks, that you will get off with a very light wigging, I imagine."
"That's just what I was thinking, Jack.Has it not been fun?"
"You wouldn't have thought it fun if you had got one of those matchlock balls in your body.There are a good many of our poor fellows just at the present moment who do not see anything funny in the affair at all.Here we are; clamber up."
The crew soon set to work under Fothergill's orders.The sails were cut off the masts and thrown down into the hold; bamboos, of which there were an abundance down there, were heaped over them, a barrel of oil was poured over the mass, and the fire then applied.
"That will do, lads.Now take to your boats and let's make a bonfire of the other junk."
In ten minutes both vessels were a sheet of flame, and the boat was lying a short distance from them waiting for further operations.The inhabitants of the village, furious at the failure of the plan which had been laid for the destruction of the "white devils," kept up a constant fusilade, which, however, did no harm, for the gig was completely sheltered by the burning junks close to her from their missiles.
"There go the others!"Percy exclaimed after a minute or two, as three columns of smoke arose simultaneously from the other junks, and the sailors were seen dropping into their boats alongside.
The killed and wounded were placed in the other gig with four sailors in charge.They were directed to keep under shelter of the junks until rejoined by the pinnace and Fothergill's gig, after these had done their work on shore.
When all was ready the first lieutenant raised his hand as a signal, and the two boats dashed between the burning junks and rowed for the shore.Such of the natives as had their weapons charged fired a hasty volley, and then, as the sailors leapt from their boats, took to their heels.
"Mr. Fothergill, take your party into the village and set fire to the houses; shoot down every man you see.This place is a nest of pirates.I will capture that battery and then join you."
Fothergill and his sailors at once entered the village. The men had already fled; the women were turned out of the houses, and these were immediately set on fire. The tars regarded the whole affair as a glorious joke, and raced from house to house, making a hasty search in each for concealed valuables before setting it on fire.In a short time the whole village was in a blaze.
"There is a house there, standing in that little grove a hundred yards away," Percy said.
"It looks like a temple," Fothergill replied."However, we will have a look at it."And calling two sailors to accompany him, he started at a run towards it, Percy keeping by his side.
"It is a temple," Fothergill said when they approached it."Still, we will have a look at it, but we won't burn it; it will be as well to respect the religion, even of a set of piratical scoundrels like these."
At the head of his men he rushed in at the entrance.There was a blaze of fire as half a dozen muskets were discharged in their faces.One of the sailors dropped dead, and before the others had time to realize what had happened they were beaten to the ground by a storm of blows from swords and other weapons.
A heavy blow crashed down on Percy's head, and he fell insensible even before he realized what had occurred.
When he recovered, his first sensation was that of a vague wonder as to what had happened to him.He seemed to be in darkness and unable to move hand or foot.He was compressed in some way that he could not at first understand, and was being bumped and jolted in an extraordinary manner.It was some little time before he could understand the situation.He first remembered the fight with the junks, then he recalled the landing and burning the village; then, as his brain cleared, came the recollection of his start with Fothergill for the temple among the trees, his arrival there, and a loud report and flash of fire.
"I must have been knocked down and stunned," he said to himself, "and I suppose I am a prisoner now to these brutes, and one of them must be carrying me on his back."
Yes, he could understand it all now. His hands and his feet were tied, ropes were passed round his body in every direction, and he was fastened back to back upon the shoulders of a Chinaman. Percy remembered the tales he had heard of the imprisonment and torture of those who fell into the hands of the Chinese, and he bitterly regretted that he had not been killed instead of stunned in the surprise of the temple.
"It would have been just the same feeling," he said to himself, "and there would have been an end of it.Now, there is no saying what is going to happen.I wonder whether Jack was killed, and the sailors."
Presently there was a jabber of voices; the motion ceased.Percy could feel that the cords were being unwound, and he was dropped on to his feet; then the cloth was removed from his head, and he could look round.
A dozen Chinese, armed with matchlocks and bristling with swords and daggers, stood around, and among them, bound like himself and gagged by a piece of bamboo forced lengthways across his mouth and kept there with a string going round the back of the head, stood Fothergill.He was bleeding from several cuts in the head.Percy's heart gave a bound of joy at finding that he was not alone; then he tried to feel sorry that Jack had not escaped, but failed to do so, although he told himself that his comrade's presence would not in any way alleviate the fate which was certain to befall him.Still the thought of companionship, even in wretchedness, and perhaps a vague hope that Jack, with his energy and spirit, might contrive some way for their escape, cheered him up.
As Percy, too, was gagged, no word could be exchanged by the midshipmen, but they nodded to each other.They were now put side by side and made to walk in the centre of their captors.On the way they passed through several villages, whose inhabitants poured out to gaze at the captives, but the men in charge of them were evidently not disposed to delay, as they passed through without a stop.At last they halted before two cottages standing by themselves, thrust the prisoners into a small room, removed their gags, and left them to themselves.
"Well, Percy, my boy, so they caught you too?I am awfully sorry.It was my fault for going with only two men into that temple, but as the village had been deserted and scarcely a man was found there, it never entered my mind that there might be a party in the temple."
"Of course not, Jack; it was a surprise altogether. I don't know anything about it, for I was knocked down, I suppose, just as we went in, and the first thing I knew about it was that I was being carried on the back of one of those fellows.I thought it was awful at first, but I don't seem to mind so much now you are with me."
"It is a comfort to have someone to speak to," Jack said, "yet I wish you were not here, Percy; I can't do you any good, and I shall never cease blaming myself for having brought you into this scrape.I don't know much more about the affair than you do.The guns were fired so close to us that my face was scorched with one of them, and almost at the same instant I got a lick across my cheek with a sword.I had just time to hit at one of them, and then almost at the same moment I got two or three other blows, and down I went; they threw themselves on the top of me and tied and gagged me in no time.Then I was tied to a long bamboo, and two fellows put the ends on their shoulders and went off with me through the fields.Of course I was face downwards, and did not know you were with us till they stopped and loosed me from the bamboo and set me on my feet."
"But what are they going to do with us do you think, Jack?"
"I should say they are going to take us to Canton and claim a reward for our capture, and there I suppose they will cut off our heads or saw us in two, or put us to some other unpleasant kind of death.I expect they are discussing it now; do you hear what a jabber they are kicking up?"
Voices were indeed heard raised in angry altercation in the next room.After a time the din subsided and the conversation appeared to take a more amiable turn.
"I suppose they have settled it as far as they are concerned," Jack said; "anyhow, you may be quite sure they mean to make something out of us.If they hadn't they would have finished us at once, for they must have been furious at the destruction of their junks and village.As to the idea that mercy has anything to do with it, we may as well put it out of our minds.The Chinaman, at the best of times, has no feeling of pity in his nature, and after their defeat it is certain they would have killed us at once had they not hoped to do better by us.If they had been Indians I should have said they had carried us off to enjoy the satisfaction of torturing us, but I don't suppose it is that with them."
"Do you think there is any chance of our getting away?"Percy asked, after a pause.
"I should say not the least in the world, Percy.My hands are fastened so tight now that the ropes seem cutting into my wrists, and after they had set me on my feet and cut the cords of my legs I could scarcely stand at first, my feet were so numbed by the pressure.However, we must keep up our pluck.Possibly they may keep us at Canton for a bit, and if they do the squadron may arrive and fight its way past the forts and take the city before they have quite made up their minds as to what kind of death will be most appropriate to the occasion.I wonder what they are doing now?They seem to be chopping sticks."
"I wish they would give us some water," Percy said."I am frightfully thirsty."
"And so am I, Percy; there is one comfort, they won't let us die of thirst, they could get no satisfaction out of our deaths now."
Two hours later some of the Chinese re-entered the room and led the captives outside, and the lads then saw what was the meaning of the noise they had heard. A cage had been manufactured of strong bamboos.It was about four and a half feet long, four feet wide, and less than three feet high; above it was fastened two long bamboos.Two or three of the bars of the cage had been left open.
"My goodness!they never intend to put us in there," Percy exclaimed.
"That they do," Jack said."They are going to carry us the rest of the way."
The cords which bound the prisoners' hands were now cut, and they were motioned to crawl into the cage.This they did; the bars were then put in their places and securely lashed.Four men went to the ends of the poles and lifted the cage upon their shoulders; two others took their places beside it, and one man, apparently the leader of the party, walked on ahead; the rest remained behind.
"I never quite realized what a fowl felt in a coop before," Jack said, "but if its sensations are at all like mine they must be decidedly unpleasant. It isn't high enough to sit upright in, it is nothing like long enough to lie down, and as to getting out one might as well think of flying. Do you know, Percy, I don't think they mean taking us to Canton at all.I did not think of it before, but from the direction of the sun I feel sure that we cannot have been going that way.What they are up to I can't imagine."
In an hour they came to a large village.Here the cage was set down and the villagers closed round.They were, however, kept a short distance from the cage by the men in charge of it.Then a wooden platter was placed on the ground, and persons throwing a few copper coins into this were allowed to come near the cage.
"They are making a show of us!"Fothergill exclaimed."That's what they are up to, you see if it isn't; they are going to travel up country to show the 'white devils' whom their valour has captured."
This was, indeed, the purpose of the pirates. At that time Europeans seldom ventured beyond the limits assigned to them in the two or three towns where they were permitted to trade, and few, indeed, of the country people had ever obtained a sight of the white barbarians of whose doings they had so frequently heard. Consequently a small crowd soon gathered round the cage, eyeing the captives with the same interest they would have felt as to unknown and dangerous beasts; they laughed and joked, passed remarks upon them, and even poked them with sticks.Fothergill, furious at this treatment, caught one of the sticks, and wrenching it from the hands of the Chinaman, tried to strike at him through the bars, a proceeding which excited shouts of laughter from the by-standers.
"I think, Jack," Percy said, "it will be best to try and keep our tempers and not to seem to mind what they do to us, then if they find they can't get any fun out of us they will soon leave us alone."
"Of course, that's the best plan," Fothergill agreed, "but it's not so easy to follow.That fellow very nearly poked out my eye with his stick, and no one's going to stand that if he can help it."
It was some hours before the curiosity of the village was satisfied. When all had paid who were likely to do so, the guards broke up their circle, and leaving two of their number at the cage to see that no actual harm was caused to their prisoners, the rest went off to a refreshment house. The place of the elders was now taken by the boys and children of the village, who crowded round the cage, prodded the prisoners with sticks, and, putting their hands through the bars, pulled their ears and hair.This amusement, however, was brought to an abrupt conclusion by Fothergill suddenly seizing the wrist of a big boy and pulling his arm through the cage until his face was against the bars; then he proceeded to punch him until the guard, coming to his rescue, poked Fothergill with his stick until he released his hold.
The punishment of their comrade excited neither anger nor resentment among the other boys, who yelled with delight at his discomfiture, but it made them more careful in approaching the cage, and though they continued to poke the prisoners with sticks they did not venture again to thrust a hand through the bars.At sunset the guards again came round, lifted the cage and carried it into a shed.A platter of dirty rice and a jug of water were put into the cage; two of the men lighted their long pipes and sat down on guard beside it, and, the doors being closed, the captives were left in peace.
"If this sort of thing is to go on, as I suppose it is," Fothergill said, "the sooner they cut off our heads the better."
"It is very bad, Jack.I am sore all over with those probes from their sharp sticks."
"I don't care for the pain, Percy, so much as the humiliation of the thing.To be stared at and poked at as if we were wild beasts by these curs, when with half a dozen of our men we could send a hundred of them scampering, I feel as if I could choke with rage."
"You had better try and eat some of this rice, Jack.It is beastly, but I daresay we shall get no more until to-morrow night, and we must keep up our strength if we can.At any rate, the water is not bad, that's a comfort."
"No thanks to them," Jack growled."If there had been any bad water in the neighbourhood they would have given it to us."
For six weeks the sufferings of the prisoners continued. Their captors avoided towns where the authorities would probably at once have taken the prisoners out of their hands. No one would have recognized the two captives as the midshipmen of the Perseus; their clothes were in rags—torn to pieces by the thrusts of the sharp-pointed bamboos, to which they had daily been subjected—the bad food, the cramped position, and the misery which they suffered had worn both lads to skeletons; their hair was matted with filth, their faces begrimed with dirt.Percy was so weak that he felt he could not stand.Fothergill, being three years older, was less exhausted, but he knew that he, too, could not support his sufferings for many days longer.Their bodies were covered with sores, and try as they would they were able to catch only a few minutes' sleep at a time, so much did the bamboo bars hurt their wasted limbs.
They seldom exchanged a word during the daytime, suffering in silence the persecutions to which they were exposed, but at night they talked over their homes and friends in England, and their comrades on board ship, seldom saying a word as to their present position.They were now in a hilly country, but had not the least idea of the direction in which it lay from Canton or its distance from the coast.
One evening Jack said to his companion, "I think it's nearly all over now, Percy. The last two days we have made longer journeys, and have not stopped at any of the smaller villages we passed through.I fancy our guards must see that we can't last much longer, and are taking us down to some town to hand us over to the authorities and get their reward for us."
"I hope it is so, Jack; the sooner the better.Not that it makes much difference now to me, for I do not think I can stand many more days of it."
"I am afraid I am tougher than you, Percy, and shall take longer to kill, so I hope with all my heart that I may be right, and that they may be going to give us up to the authorities."
The next evening they stopped at a large place, and were subjected to the usual persecution; this, however, was now less prolonged than during the early days of their captivity, for they had now no longer strength or spirits to resent their treatment, and as no fun was to be obtained from passive victims, even the village boys soon ceased to find any amusement in tormenting them.
When most of their visitors had left them, an elderly Chinaman approached the side of the cage.He spoke to their guards and looked at them attentively for some minutes, then he said in pigeon English, "You officer men?"
"Yes!" Jack exclaimed, starting at the sound of the English words, the first they had heard spoken since their captivity. "Yes, we are officers of the Perseus."
"Me speeke English velly well," the Chinaman said; "me pilot-man many years on Canton river.How you get here?"
"We were attacking some piratical junks, and landed to destroy the village where the people were firing on us.We entered a place full of pirates, and were knocked down and taken prisoners, and carried away up the country; that is six weeks ago, and you see what we are now."
"Pirate men velly bad," the Chinaman said; "plunder many junk on river and kill crew.Me muchee hate them."
"Can you do anything for us?"Jack asked."You will be well rewarded if you could manage to get us free."
The man shook his head.
"Me no see what can do, me stranger here; come to stay with wifey; people no do what me ask them.English ships attack Canton, much fight and take town, people all hate English. Bad country dis. People in one village fight against another. Velly bad men here."
"How far is Canton away?"Jack asked."Could you not send down to tell the English we are here?"
"Fourteen days' journey off," the man said; "no see how can do anything."
"Well," Jack said, "when you get back again to Canton let our people know what has been the end of us; we shall not last much longer."
"All light," the man said, "will see what me can do.Muchee think to-night!"And after saying a few words to the guards, who had been regarding this conversation with an air of surprise, the Chinaman retired.
The guards had for some time abandoned the precaution of sitting up at night by the cage, convinced that their captives had no longer strength to attempt to break through its fastenings or to drag themselves many yards away if they could do so.They therefore left it standing in the open, and, wrapping themselves in their thickly-wadded coats, for the nights were cold, lay down by the side of the cage.
The coolness of the nights had, indeed, assisted to keep the two prisoners alive.During the day the sun was excessively hot, and the crowd of visitors round the cage impeded the circulation of the air and added to their sufferings.It was true that the cold at night frequently prevented them from sleeping, but it acted as a tonic and braced them up.
"What did he mean about the villages attacking each other?"Percy asked.
"I have heard," Jack replied, "that in some parts of China things are very much the same as they used to be in the highlands of Scotland.There is no law or order.The different villages are like clans, and wage war on each other.Sometimes the Government sends a number of troops, who put the thing down for a time, chop off a good many heads, and then march away, and the whole work begins again as soon as their backs are turned."
That night the uneasy slumber of the lads was disturbed by a sudden firing; shouts and yells were heard, and the firing redoubled.
"The village is attacked," Jack said. "I noticed that, like some other places we have come into lately, there is a strong earthen wall round it, with gates.Well, there is one comfort—it does not make much difference to us which side wins."
The guards at the first alarm leapt to their feet, caught up their matchlocks, and ran to aid in the defence of the wall.Two minutes later a man ran up to the cage.
"All lightee," he said; "just what me hopee."
With his knife he cut the tough withes that held the bamboos in their places, and pulled out three of the bars.
"Come along," he said; "no time to lose."
Jack scrambled out, but in trying to stand upright gave a sharp exclamation of pain.Percy crawled out more slowly; he tried to stand up, but could not.The Chinaman caught him up and threw him on his shoulder.
"Come along quickee," he said to Jack; "if takee village, kill evely one."He set off at a run.Jack followed as fast as he could, groaning at every step from the pain the movement caused to his bruised body.
They went to the side of the village opposite to that at which the attack was going on.They met no one on the way, the inhabitants having all rushed to the other side to repel the attack. They stopped at a small gate in the wall, the Chinaman drew back the bolts and opened it, and they passed out into the country. For an hour they kept on. By the end of that time Jack could scarcely drag his limbs along. The Chinaman halted at length in a clump of trees surrounded by a thick undergrowth.
"Allee safee here," he said, "no searchee so far; here food;" and he produced from a wallet a cold chicken and some boiled rice, and unslung from his shoulder a gourd filled with cold tea.
"Me go back now, see what happen.To-mollow nightee come again—bringee more food."And without another word went off at a rapid pace.
Jack moistened his lips with the tea, and then turned to his companion.Percy had not spoken a word since he had been released from the cage, and had been insensible during the greater part of his journey.Jack poured some cold tea between his lips.
"Cheer up, Percy, old boy, we are free now, and with luck and that good fellow's help we will work our way down to Canton yet."
"I shall never get down there; you may," Percy said feebly.
"Oh, nonsense, you will pick up strength like a steam-engine now.Here, let me prop you against this tree.That's better.Now drink a drop of this tea; it's like nectar after that filthy water we have been drinking.Now you will feel better.Now you must try and eat a little of this chicken and rice.Oh, nonsense, you have got to do it.I am not going to let you give way when our trouble is just over.Think of your people at home, Percy, and make an effort, for their sakes.Good heavens!now I think of it, it must be Christmas morning.We were caught on the 2nd and we have been just twenty-two days on show.I am sure that it must be past twelve o'clock, and it is Christmas-day.It is a good omen, Percy.This food isn't like roast beef and plum-pudding, but it's not to be despised, I can tell you.Come, fire away, that's a good fellow."
Percy made an effort and ate a few mouthfuls of rice and chicken, then he took another draught of tea, and lay down, and was almost immediately asleep.
Jack ate his food slowly and contentedly till he finished half the supply, then he, too, lay down, and, after a short but hearty thanksgiving for his escape from a slow and lingering death, he, too, fell off to sleep.The sun was rising when he woke, being aroused by a slight movement on the part of Percy; he opened his eyes and sat up.
"Well, Percy, how do you feel this morning?"he asked cheerily.
"I feel too weak to move," Percy replied languidly.
"Oh, you will be all right when you have sat up and eaten breakfast," Jack said."Here you are; here is a wing for you, and this rice is as white as snow, and the tea is first rate.I thought last night after I lay down that I heard a murmur of water, so after we have had breakfast I will look about and see if I can find it.We should feel like new men after a wash.You look awful, and I am sure I am just as bad."
The thought of a wash inspirited Percy far more than that of eating, and he sat up and made a great effort to do justice to breakfast. He succeeded much better than he had done the night before, and Jack, although he pretended to grumble, was satisfied with his companion's progress, and finished off the rest of the food. Then he set out to search for water. He had not very far to go; a tiny stream, a few inches wide and two or three inches deep, ran through the wood from the higher ground.After throwing himself down and taking a drink, he hurried back to Percy.
"It is all right, Percy, I have found it.We can wash to our hearts' content; think of that, lad."
Percy could hardly stand, but he made an effort, and Jack half carried him to the streamlet.There the lads spent hours.First they bathed their heads and hands, and then, stripping, lay down in the stream and allowed it to flow over them, then they rubbed themselves with handfuls of leaves dipped in the water, and when they at last put on their rags again felt like new men.Percy was able to walk back to the spot they had quitted with the assistance only of Jack's arm.The latter, feeling that his breakfast had by no means appeased his hunger, now started for a search through the wood, and presently returned to Percy laden with nuts and berries.
"The nuts are sure to be all right; I expect the berries are too.I have certainly seen some like them in native markets, and I think it will be quite safe to risk it."
The rest of the day was spent in picking nuts and eating them. Then they sat down and waited for the arrival of their friend. He came two hours after nightfall with a wallet stored with provisions, and told them that he had regained the village unobserved. The attack had been repulsed, but with severe loss to the defenders as well as the assailants; two of their guards had been among the killed. The others had made a great clamour over the escape of the prisoners, and had made a close search throughout the village and immediately round it, for they were convinced that their captives had not had the strength to go any distance. He thought, however, that although they had professed the greatest indignation, and had offered many threats as to the vengeance that Government would take upon the village, one of whose inhabitants, at least, must have aided in the evasion of the prisoners, they would not trouble themselves any further in the matter. They had already reaped a rich harvest from the exhibition, and would divide among themselves the share of their late comrades; nor was it at all improbable that if they were to report the matter to the authorities they would themselves get into serious trouble for not having handed over the prisoners immediately after their capture.
For a fortnight the pilot nursed and fed the two midshipmen.He had already provided them with native clothes, so that if by chance any villagers should catch sight of them they would not recognize them as the escaped white men.At the end of that time both the lads had almost recovered from the effects of their sufferings.Jack, indeed, had picked up from the first, but Percy for some days continued so weak and ill that Jack had feared that he was going to have an attack of fever of some kind.His companion's cheery and hopeful chat did as much good for Percy as the nourishing food with which their friend supplied them, and at the end of the fortnight he declared that he felt sufficiently strong to attempt to make his way down to the coast.
The pilot acted as their guide. When they inquired about his wife, he told them carelessly that she would remain with her kinsfolk, and would travel on to Canton and join him there when she found an opportunity. The journey was accomplished at night, by very short stages at first, but by increasing distances as Percy gained strength.During the daytime the lads lay hid in woods or jungles, while their companion went into the village and purchased food.They struck the river many miles above Canton, and the pilot, going down first to a village on its banks, bargained for a boat to take him and two women down to the city.
The lads went on board at night and took their places in the little cabin formed of bamboos and covered with mats in the stern of the boat, and remained thus sheltered not only from the view of people in boats passing up or down the stream, but from the eyes of their own boatmen.
After two days' journey down the river without incident, they arrived off Canton, where the British fleet was still lying while negotiations for peace were being carried on with the authorities at Pekin.Peeping out between the mats, the lads caught sight of the English warships, and, knowing that there was now no danger, they dashed out of the cabin, to the surprise of the native boatmen, and shouted and waved their arms to the distant ships.
In ten minutes they were alongside the Perseus, when they were hailed as if restored from the dead.The pilot was very handsomely rewarded by the English authorities for his kindness to the prisoners, and was highly satisfied with the result of his proceedings, which more than doubled the little capital with which he had retired from business.Jack Fothergill and Percy Adcock declare that they have never since eaten chicken without thinking of their Christmas fare on the morning of their escape from the hands of the Chinese pirates.
THE END.
By the Author of "John Herring," "Mehalah," &c.
Grettir the Outlaw: A Story of Iceland. By S.Baring-Gould. With 10 full-page Illustrations by M.Zeno Diemer and a Coloured Map. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 6s
A work of special interest, not only because of the high rank which Mr. Baring-Gould has of late years acquired by his brilliant series of novels, Mehalah, John Herring, Court Royal, &c., but because of his earlier won reputation as a historian and explorer of folk-legends and popular beliefs.In the story of Grettir, both the art of the novelist and the lore of the archæologist have had full scope, with the result that we have a narrative of adventure of the most romantic kind, and at the same time an interesting and minutely accurate account of the old Icelandic families, their homes, their mode of life, their superstitions, their songs and stories, their bear-serk fury, and their heroism by land and sea.The story is told throughout with a simplicity which will make it attractive even to the very young, and no boy will be able to withstand the magic of such scenes as the fight of Grettir with the twelve bear-serks, the wrestle with Karr the Old in the chamber of the dead, the combat with the spirit of Glam the thrall, and the defence of the dying Grettir by his younger brother.
BY G.A.HENTY.
With Lee in Virginia: A Story of the American Civil War. By G.A.Henty. With 10 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 6s
The great war between the Northern and Southern States of America has the special interest for English boys of having been a struggle between two sections of a people akin to us in race and language—a struggle fought out by each side with unusual intensity of conviction in the rightness of its cause, and abounding in heroic incidents.Of these points Mr. Henty has made admirable use in this story of a young Virginian planter, who, after bravely proving his sympathy with the slaves, serves with no less courage and enthusiasm under Lee and Jackson through the most exciting events of the struggle.He has many hairbreadth escapes, is several times wounded and twice taken prisoner; but his courage and readiness bring him safely through all difficulties.
BY G.A.HENTY.
"Mr. Henty is one of the best of story tellers for young people."—Spectator.
By Pike and Dyke: A Tale of the Rise of the Dutch Republic. By G.A.Henty. With 10 full-page Illustrations by Maynard Brown and 4 Maps. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 6s
A story covering the period which forms the thrilling subject of Motley's Rise of the Dutch Republic, when the Netherlands, under the guidance of William of Orange, revolted against the attempts of Alva and the Spaniards to force upon them the Catholic religion.To a story already of the keenest interest, Mr. Henty has added a special attractiveness for boys in tracing through the historic conflict the adventures and brave deeds of an English boy in the household of the ablest man of his age—William the Silent.Edward Martin; the son of an English sea-captain, after sharing in the excitement of an escape from the Spaniards and a sea-fight, enters the service of the Prince as a volunteer, and is employed by him in many dangerous and responsible missions, in the discharge of which he passes through the great sieges and more than one naval engagement of the time.He is subsequently employed in Holland by Queen Elizabeth, to whom he is recommended by Orange; and ultimately settles down as Sir Edward Martin and the husband of the lady to whom he owes his life, and whom he in turn has saved from the Council of Blood.
The Lion Of St.Mark: A Tale of Venice in the Fourteenth Century. By G.A.Henty. With 10 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 6s
"Every boy should read The Lion of St.MarkMr. Henty has never produced any story more delightful, more wholesome, or more vivacious.From first to last it will be read with keen enjoyment."—The Saturday Review.
"Mr. Henty has probably not published a more interesting story than The Lion of St.MarkHe has certainly not published one in which he has been at such pains to rise to the dignity of his subject.Mr. Henty's battle-pieces are admirable."—The Academy.
"The young hero has shrewdness, courage, enterprise, principle, all the qualities that help the young in the race and battle of life."—Literary Churchman.
Captain Bailey's Heir: A Tale of the Gold Fields of California. By G.A.Henty. With 12 full-page Illustrations by H.M.Paget. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 6s
"A Westminster boy who, like all this author's heroes, makes his way in the world by hard work, good temper, and unfailing courage.The descriptions given of life are just what a healthy intelligent lad should delight in."—St.James's Gazette.
"The portraits of Captain Bayley, and the head-master of Westminster school, are admirably drawn; and the adventures in California are told with that vigour which is peculiar to Mr. Henty."—The Academy.
"Mr. Henty is careful to mingle solid instruction with entertainment; and the humorous touches, especially in the sketch of John Holl, the Westminster dustman, Dickens himself could hardly have excelled."—Christian Leader.
BY G.A.HENTY.
"Surely Mr. Henty should understand boys' tastes better than any man living."—The Times.
Bonnie Prince Charlie: A Tale of Fontenoy and Culloden. By G.A.Henty. With 12 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 6s
"Ronald, the hero, is very like the hero of Quentin DurwardThe lad's journey across France with his faithful attendant Malcolm, and his hairbreadth escapes from the machinations of his father's enemies, make up as good a narrative of the kind as we have ever read.For freshness of treatment and variety of incident, Mr. Henty has here surpassed himself."—Spectator.
"A historical romance of the best quality.Mr. Henty has written many more sensational stories, but never a more artistic one."—Academy.
For the Temple: A Tale of the Fall of Jerusalem. By G.A.Henty. With 10 full-page Illustrations by Solomon J.Solomon: and a coloured Map. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 6s
"Mr. Henty is ever one of the foremost writers of historical tales, and his graphic prose pictures of the hopeless Jewish resistance to Roman sway adds another leaf to his record of the famous wars of the world.The book is one of Mr. Henty's cleverest efforts."—Graphic.
"The story is told with all the force of descriptive power which has made the author's war stories so famous, and many an 'old boy' as well as the younger ones will delight in this narrative of that awful page of history."—Church Times.
The Lion Of the North: A Tale of Gustavus Adolphus and the Wars of Religion. By G.A.Henty. With 12 full-page Illustrations by John Schönberg. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 6s
"As we might expect from Mr. Henty the tale is a clever and instructive piece of history, and as boys may be trusted to read it conscientiously, they can hardly fail to be profited as well as pleased."—The Times.
"A praiseworthy attempt to interest British youth in the great deeds of the Scotch Brigade in the wars of Gustavus Adolphus.Mackay, Hepburn, and Munro live again in Mr. Henty's pages, as those deserve to live whose disciplined bands formed really the germ of the modern British army."—Athenæum.
"A stirring story of stirring times.This book should hold a place among the classics of youthful fiction."—United Service Gazette.
The Young Carthaginian: A story of the Times of Hannibal. By G.A.Henty. With 12 full-page Illustrations by C.J.Staniland, R.I. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 6s
"The effect of an interesting story, well constructed and vividly told, is enhanced by the picturesque quality of the scenic background.From first to last nothing stays the interest of the narrative.It bears us along as on a stream, whose current varies in direction, but never loses its force."—Saturday Review.
"Ought to be popular with boys who are not too ill instructed or too dandified to be affected by a graphic picture of the days and deeds of Hannibal."—Athenæum.
BY G.A.HENTY.
"Among writers of stories of adventure for boys Mr. Henty stands in the very first rank."—Academy.
With Wolfe in Canada: Or, The Winning of a Continent. By G.A.Henty. With 12 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 6s
"A model of what a boys' story-book should be.Mr. Henty has a great power of infusing into the dead facts of history new life, and as no pains are spared by him to ensure accuracy in historic details, his books supply useful aids to study as well as amusement."—School Guardian.
"It is not only a lesson in history as instructively as it is graphically told, but also a deeply interesting and often thrilling tale of adventure and peril by flood and field."—Illustrated London News.
"This is a narrative which will bear retelling, and to which Mr. Henty, whose careful study of details is worthy of all praise, does full justice....His adventures are told with much spirit; the escape when the birch canoes have been damaged by an enemy is especially well described."—Spectator.
With Clive in India: Or, The Beginnings of an Empire. By G.A.Henty. With 12 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 6s
"In this book Mr. Henty has contrived to exceed himself in stirring adventures and thrilling situations.The pictures add greatly to the interest of the book."—Saturday Review.
"Among writers of stories of adventure for boys Mr. Henty stands in the very first rank.Those who know something about India will be the most ready to thank Mr. Henty for giving them this instructive volume to place in the hands of their children."—Academy.
True to the Old Flag: A Tale of the American War of Independence. By G.A.Henty. With 12 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 6s
"Does justice to the pluck and determination of the British soldiers.The son of an American loyalist, who remains true to our flag, falls among the hostile redskins in that very Huron country which has been endeared to us by the exploits of Hawkeye and Chingachgook."—The Times.
"Mr. Henty's extensive personal experience of adventures and moving incidents by flood and field, combined with a gift of picturesque narrative, make his books always welcome visitors in the home circle."—Daily News.
In Freedom's Cause: A Story of Wallace and Bruce. By G.A.Henty. With 12 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 6s
"Mr. Henty has broken new ground as an historical novelist.His tale of the days of Wallace and Bruce is full of stirring action, and will commend itself to boys."—Athenæum.
"Written in the author's best style.Full of the most remarkable achievements, it is a tale of great interest, which a boy, once he has begun it, will not willingly put on one side."—Schoolmaster.
"Scarcely anywhere have we seen in prose a more lucid and spirit-stirring description of Bannockburn than the one with which the author fittingly closes his volume."—Dumfries Standard.
BY G.A.HENTY.
"Mr. Henty is one of our most successful writers of historical tales."—Scotsman.
Through the Fray: A Story of the Luddite Riots. By G.A.Henty. With 12 full-page Illustrations by H.M.Paget. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 6s
"Mr. Henty inspires a love and admiration for straightforwardness, truth, and courage. This is one of the best of the many good books Mr. Henty has produced, and deserves to be classed with his Facing Death."—Standard.
"The interest of the story never flags.Were we to propose a competition for the best list of novel writers for boys we have little doubt that Mr. Henty's name would stand first."—Journal of Education.
"This story is told in Mr. Henty's own easy and often graphic style.There is no 'padding' in the book, and its teaching is, that we have enemies within as well as without, and therefore the power of self-control is a quality that should be striven after by every 'true' boy."—Educational Times.
Under Drake's Flag: A Tale of the Spanish Main. By G.A.Henty. Illustrated by 12 full-page Pictures by Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 6s
"There is not a dull chapter, nor, indeed, a dull page in the hook; but the author has so carefully worked up his subject that the exciting deeds of his heroes are never incongruous or absurd."—Observer.
"Just such a book, indeed, as the youth of this maritime country are likely to prize highly."—Daily Telegraph.
"A book of adventure, where the hero meets with experience enough one would think to turn his hair gray."—Harper's Monthly Magazine.
BY PROFESSOR A.J.CHURCH.
Two Thousand Years Ago: Or, The Adventures of a Roman Boy. By Professor A.J.Church. With 12 full-page Illustrations by Adrien Marie. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 6s
"Adventures well worth the telling.The book is extremely entertaining as well as useful, and there is a wonderful freshness in the Roman scenes and characters."—The Times.
"Entertaining in the highest degree from beginning to end, and full of adventure which is all the livelier for its close connection with history."—Spectator.
"We know of no book which will do more to make the Romans of that day live again for the English reader."—Guardian.
Robinson Crusoe. By Daniel Defoe. Illustrated by above 100 Pictures by Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 6s
"One of the best issues, if not absolutely the best, of Defoe's work which has ever appeared."—The Standard.
"The best edition I have come across for years.If you know a boy who has not a 'Robinson Crusoe,' just glance at any one of these hundred illustrations, and you will go no further afield in search of a present for him."—Truth.
BY GEORGE MANVILLE FENN.
"Mr. Fenn is in the front rank of writers of stories for boys."—Liverpool Mercury.
Quicksilver: Or a Boy with no Skid to his Wheel. By George Manville Fenn. With 10 full-page Illustrations by Frank Dadd. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 6s
"Quicksilver is little short of an inspiration. In it that prince of story-writers for boys—George Manville Fenn—has surpassed himself. It is an ideal book for a boy's library." —Practical Teacher.
"The story is capitally told, it abounds in graphic and well-described scenes, and it has an excellent and manly tone throughout."—The Guardian.
"This is one of Mr. Fenn's happiest efforts, and deserves to be read and re-read by every school-boy in the land. We are not exaggerating when we say that Quicksilver has nothing to equal it this season." —Teacher's Aid.
Dick o' the Fens: A Romance of the Great East Swamp. By G.Manville Fenn. With 12 full-page Illustrations by Frank Dadd. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 6s
"We conscientiously believe that boys will find it capital reading.It is full of incident and mystery, and the mystery is kept up to the last moment.It is rich in effective local colouring; and it has a historical interest."—Times.
"We have not of late come across a historical fiction, whether intended for boys or for men, which deserves to be so heartily and unreservedly praised as regards plot, incidents, and spirit as Dick o' the FensIt is its author's masterpiece as yet."—Spectator.
Devon Boys: A Tale of the North Shore. By G.Manville Fenn. With 12 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 6s
"An admirable story, as remarkable for the individuality of its young heroes as for the excellent descriptions of coast scenery and life in North Devon.It is one of the best books we have seen this season."—Athenæum.
"We do not know that Mr. Fenn has ever reached a higher level than he has in Devon BoysIt must be put in the very front rank of Christmas books."—Spectator.
Brownsmith's Boy: A Romance in a Garden. By G. Manville Fenn. With 12 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 6s
"Mr. Fenn's books are among the best, if not altogether the best, of the stories for boys. Mr. Fenn is at his best in Brownsmith's Boy."—Pictorial World.
"Brownsmith's Boy must rank among the few undeniably good boys' books. He will be a very dull boy indeed who lays it down without wishing that it had gone on for at least 100 pages more." —North British Mail.
In the King's Name: Or the Cruise of the Kestrel. By G.Manville Fenn. Illustrated by 12 full-page Pictures by Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 6s
"A capital boys' story, full of incident and adventure, and told in the lively style in which Mr. Fenn is such an adept."—Globe.
"The best of all Mr. Fenn's productions in this field.It has the great quality of always 'moving on,' adventure following adventure in constant succession."—Daily News.
BY GEORGE MANVILLE FENN.
"Our boys know Mr. Fenn well, his stories having won for him a foremost place in their estimation."—Pall Mall Gazette.
Bunyip Land: The Story of a Wild Journey in New Guinea. By G.Manville Fenn. With 12 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 6s
"Mr. Fenn deserves the thanks of everybody for Bunyip Land, and we may venture to promise that a quiet week may be reckoned on whilst the youngsters have such fascinating literature provided for their evenings' amusement."—Spectator.
"One of the best tales of adventure produced by any living writer, combining the inventiveness of Jules Verne, and the solidity of character and earnestness of spirit which have made the English victorious in so many fields."—Daily Chronicle.
The Golden Magnet: A Tale of the Land of the Incas. By G. Manville Fenn. Illustrated by 12 full-page Pictures by Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 6s
"This is, we think, the best boys' book Mr. Fenn has produced....The Illustrations are perfect in their way."—Globe.
"There could be no more welcome present for a boy. There is not a dull page in the book, and many will be read with breathless interest. 'The Golden Magnet' is, of course, the same one that attracted Raleigh and the heroes of Westward Ho!"—Journal of Education.
BY HARRY COLLINGWOOD.
The Log Of the "Flying Fish:" A Story of Aerial and Submarine Peril and Adventure. By Harry Collingwood. With 12 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne, Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 6s
"The Flying Fish actually surpasses all Jules Verne's creations; with incredible speed she flies through the air, skims over the surface of the water, and darts along the ocean bed. We strongly recommend our school-boy friends to possess themselves of her log." —Athenæum.
BY SARAH DOUDNEY.
Under False Colours. By Sarah Doudney. With 12 full-page Illustrations by G.G.Kilburne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 6s
"This is a charming story, abounding in delicate touches of sentiment and pathos.Its plot is skilfully contrived.It will be read with a warm interest by every girl who takes it up."—Scotsman.
"Sarah Doudney has no superior as a writer of high-toned stories—pure in style, original in conception, and with skilfully wrought-out plots; but we have seen nothing from this lady's pen equal in dramatic energy to her latest work—Under False Colours."—Christian Leader.
BY G.A.HENTY.
"The brightest of all the living writers whose office it is to enchant the boys."—Christian Leader.
One Of the 28th: A Tale of Waterloo. By G.A.Henty. With 8 full-page Illustrations by W.H.Overend, and 2 Maps. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 5s
Herbert Penfold, being desirous of benefiting the daughter of an intimate friend, and Ralph Conway, the son of a lady to whom he had once been engaged, draws up a will dividing his property between them, and places it in a hiding-place only known to members of his own family.At his death his two sisters determine to keep silence, and the authorized search for the will, though apparently thorough, fails to bring it to light.The mother of Ralph, however, succeeds in entering the house as a servant, and after an arduous and exciting search secures the will.In the meantime, her son has himself passed through a series of adventures.The boat in which he is fishing is run down by a French privateer, and Ralph, scrambling on board, is forced to serve until the harbour of refuge is entered by a British frigate.On his return he enters the army, and after some rough service in Ireland, takes part in the Waterloo campaign, from which he returns with the loss of an arm, but with a substantial fortune, which is still further increased by his marriage with his co-heir.
The Cat Of Bubastes: A Story of Ancient Egypt. By G.A.Henty. With 8 full-page Illustrations by J.R.Weguelin. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 5s
"The story is highly enjoyable.We have pictures of Egyptian domestic life, of sport, of religious ceremonial, and of other things which may still be seen vividly portrayed by the brush of Egyptian artists."—The Spectator.
"The story, from the critical moment of the killing of the sacred cat to the perilous exodus into Asia with which it closes, is very skilfully constructed and full of exciting adventures.It is admirably illustrated."—Saturday Review.
"Mr. Henty has fairly excelled himself in this admirable story of romance and adventure.We have never examined a story-book that we can recommend with more confidence as a boy's reward."—Teachers' Aid.
The Dragon and the Raven: Or, The Days of King Alfred. By G.A.Henty. With 8 full-page Illustrations by C.J.Staniland, R.I. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 5s
"Perhaps the best story of the early days of England which has yet been told."—Court Journal.
"We know of no popular book in which the stirring incidents of Alfred's reign are made accessible to young readers as they are here."—Scotsman.
St.George for England: A Tale of Cressy and Poitiers. By G.A.Henty. With 8 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne, in black and tint. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 5s
"Mr. Henty has done his work well, producing a strong story at once instructive and entertaining."—Glasgow Herald.
"Mr. Henty's historical novels for boys bid fair to supplement, on their behalf, the historical labours of Sir Walter Scott in the land of fiction."—Standard.
BY G.A.HENTY.
"Mr. Henty is the king of story-tellers for boys."—Sword and Trowel.
The Bravest Of the Brave: With Peterborough in Spain. By G.A.Henty. With 8 full-page Pictures by H.M.Paget. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 5s
"Mr. Henty never loses sight of the moral purpose of his work—to enforce the doctrine of courage and truth, mercy and loving kindness, as indispensable to the making of an English gentleman. British lads will read The Bravest of the Brave with pleasure and profit; of that we are quite sure." —Daily Telegraph.
For Name and Fame: Or, Through Afghan Passes. By G.A.Henty. With 8 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne, in black and tint. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 5s
"The best feature of the book, apart from its scenes of adventure, is its honest effort to do justice to the patriotism of the Afghan people."—Daily News.
"Not only a rousing story, replete with all the varied forms of excitement of a campaign, but, what is still more useful, an account of a territory and its inhabitants which must for a long time possess a supreme interest for Englishmen, as being the key to our Indian Empire."—Glasgow Herald.
In the Reign Of Terror: The Adventures of a Westminster Boy. By G.A.Henty. With 8 full-page Illustrations by J.Schönberg. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 5s
"Harry Sandwith, the Westminster boy, may fairly be said to beat Mr. Henty's record.His adventures will delight boys by the audacity and peril they depict.The story is one of Mr. Henty's best."—Saturday Review.
Orange and Green: A Tale of the Boyne and Limerick. By G.A.Henty. With 8 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 5s
"An extremely spirited story, based on the struggle in Ireland, rendered memorable by the defence of 'Derry and the siege of Limerick."—Sat.Review.
"The narrative is free from the vice of prejudice, and ripples with life as vivacious as if what is being described were really passing before the eye.... Orange and Green should be in the hands of every young student of Irish history without delay." —Belfast Morning News.
By Sheer Pluck: A Tale of the Ashanti War. By G.A.Henty. With 8 full-page Pictures by Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 5s
"By Sheer Pluck will be eagerly read. The author's personal knowledge of the west coast has been turned to full advantage." —Athenæum.
"Morally, the book is everything that could be desired, setting before the boys a bright and bracing ideal of the English gentleman."—Christian Leader.
BY G.A.HENTY.
"Mr. G.A.Henty's fame as a writer of boys' stories is deserved and secure."—Cork Herald.
A Final Reckoning: A Tale of Bush Life in Australia. By G.A.Henty. With 8 full-page Illustrations by W.B.Wollen. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 5s
"Exhibits Mr. Henty's talent as a story-teller at his best....The drawings possess the uncommon merit of really illustrating the text."—Saturday Review.
"All boys will read this story with eager and unflagging interest.The episodes are in Mr. Henty's very best vein—graphic, exciting, realistic; and, as in all Mr. Henty's books, the tendency is to the formation of an honourable, manly, and even heroic character."—Birmingham Post.
Facing Death: Or the Hero of the Vaughan Pit. A Tale of the Coal Mines. By G.A.Henty. With 8 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 5s
"If any father, godfather, clergyman, or schoolmaster is on the look-out for a good book to give as a present to a boy who is worth his salt, this is the book we would recommend."—Standard.
BY F.FRANKFORT MOORE.
Highways and High Seas: Cyril Harley's Adventures on both. By F.Frankfort Moore. With 8 full-page Illustrations by Alfred Pearse. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 5s
The story belongs to a period when highways meant post-chaises, coaches, and highwaymen, and when high seas meant post-captains, frigates, privateers, and smugglers; and the hero—a boy who has some remarkable experiences upon both—tells his story with no less humour than vividness.He shows incidentally how little real courage and romance there frequently was about the favourite law-breakers of fiction, but how they might give rise to the need of the highest courage in others and lead to romantic adventures of an exceedingly exciting kind.A certain piquancy is given to the story by a slight trace of nineteenth century malice in the picturing of eighteenth century life and manners.
Under Hatches: Or Ned Woodthorpe's Adventures. By F.Frankfort Moore. With 8 full-page Illustrations by A.Forestier. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 5s
"Mr. Moore has never shown himself so thoroughly qualified to write books for boys as he has done in Under Hatches."—The Academy.
"A first-rate sea story, full of stirring incidents, and, from a literary point of view, far better written than the majority of books for boys."—Pall Mall Gazette.
"The story as a story is one that will just suit boys all the world over.The characters are well drawn and consistent; Patsy, the Irish steward, will be found especially amusing."—Schoolmaster.
BY GEORGE MANVILLE FENN.
"No one can find his way to the hearts of lads more readily than Mr. Fenn."—Nottingham Guardian.
Yussuf the Guide: Being the Strange Story of the Travels in Asia Minor of Burne the Lawyer, Preston the Professor, and Lawrence the Sick. By G.Manville Fenn. With 8 full-page Illustrations by John Schönberg. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 5s
"The narrative will take its readers into scenes that will have great novelty and attraction for them, and the experiences with the brigands will be especially delightful to boys."—Scotsman.
Menhardoc: A Story of Cornish Nets and Mines. By G.Manville Fenn. With 8 full-page Illustrations by C.J.Staniland. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 5s
"They are real living boys, with their virtues and faults.The Cornish fishermen are drawn from life, they are racy of the soil, salt with the sea-water, and they stand out from the pages in their jerseys and sea-boots all sprinkled with silvery pilchard scales."—Spectator.
"A description of Will Marion's descent into a flooded mine is excellent.Josh is a delightfully amusing character.We may cordially praise the illustrations."—Saturday Review.
Mother Carey's Chicken: Her Voyage to the Unknown Isle. By G.Manville Fenn. With 8 full-page Illustrations by A. Forestier. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 5s
"Jules Verne himself never constructed a more marvellous tale.It contains the strongly marked English features that are always conspicuous in Mr. Fenn's stories—a humour racy of the British soil, the manly vigour of his sentiment, and wholesome moral lessons.For anything to match his realistic touch we must go to Daniel Defoe."—Christian Leader.
"When we get to the 'Unknown Isle,' the story becomes exciting. Mr. Fenn keeps his readers in a suspense that is not intermitted for a moment, and the dénouement is a surprise which is as probable as it is startling." —Spectator.
Patience Wins: Or, War in the Works. By G.Manville Fenn. With 8 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 5s
"An excellent story, the interest being sustained from first to last.One of the best books of its kind which has come before us this year."—Saturday Review.
"Mr. Fenn is at his best in Patience WinsIt is sure to prove acceptable to youthful readers, and will give a good idea of that which was the real state of one of our largest manufacturing towns not many years ago."—Guardian.
Nat the Naturalist: A Boy's Adventures in the Eastern Seas. By G.Manville Fenn. With 8 full-page Pictures. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 5s
"Among the best of the many good books for boys that have come out this season."—Times.
"This sort of book encourages independence of character, develops resource, and teaches a boy to keep his eyes open."—Saturday Review.
BY HARRY COLLINGWOOD.
The Missing Merchantman. By Harry Collingwood. With 8 full-page Illustrations by W.H.Overend. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 5s
"Mr. Collingwood is facile princeps as a teller of sea stories for boys, and the present is one of the best productions of his pen." —Standard.
"This is one of the author's best sea stories.The hero is as heroic as any boy could desire, and the ending is extremely happy."—British Weekly.
The Rover's Secret: A Tale of the Pirate Cays and Lagoons of Cuba. By Harry Collingwood. With 8 full-page Illustrations by W.C.Symons. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 5s
"The Rover's Secret is by far the best sea story we have read for years, and is certain to give unalloyed pleasure to boys. The illustrations are fresh and vigorous." —Saturday Review.
The Pirate Island: A Story of the South Pacific. By Harry Collingwood. Illustrated by 8 full-page Pictures by C.J.Staniland and J.R.Wells. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 5s
"A capital story of the sea; indeed in our opinion the author is superior in some respects as a marine novelist to the better known Mr. Clarke Russell."—The Times.
"Told in the most vivid and graphic language.It would be difficult to find a more thoroughly delightful gift-book."—Guardian.
The Congo Rovers: A Story of the Slave Squadron. By Harry Collingwood. With 8 full-page Illustrations by J.Schönberg. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 5s
"No better sea story has lately been written than the Congo RoversIt is as original as any boy could desire."—Morning Post.
BY ASCOTT R.HOPE.
The Seven Wise Scholars. By Ascott R.Hope. With nearly One Hundred Illustrations by Gordon Browne. Square 8vo, cloth elegant, gilt edges, 5s
"As full of fun as a volume of Punch; with illustrations, more laughter-provoking than most we have seen since Leech died."—Sheffield Independent.
"A capital story, full of fun and happy comic fancies. The tale would put the sourest-tempered boy into a good humour, and to an imaginative child would be a source of keen delight." —Scotsman.
The Wigwam and the War-path: stories of the Red Indians. By Ascott R.Hope. With 8 full-page Pictures by Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 5s
"All the stories are told well, in simple spirited language and with a fulness of detail that make them instructive as well as interesting."—Journal of Education.
BY G.NORWAY.
The Loss of John Humble: What Led to It, and what Came of It. By G.Norway. With 8 full-page Illustrations by John Schönberg. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 5s
John Humble, an orphan, is sent to sea with his Uncle Rolf, the captain of the Erl King, but in the course of certain adventures off the English coast, in which Rolf shows both skill and courage, the boy is left behind at Portsmouth. He escapes from an English gun-brig to a Norwegian vessel, the Thor, which is driven from her course in a voyage to Hammerfest, and wrecked on a desolate shore.The survivors experience the miseries of a long sojourn in the Arctic circle, with inadequate means of supporting life, but ultimately, with the aid of some friendly but thievish Lapps, they succeed in making their way to a reindeer station and so southward to Tornea and home again.The story throughout is singularly vivid and truthful in its details, the individual characters are fresh and well marked, and a pleasant vein of humour relieves the stress of the more tragic incidents in the story.
BY ROSA MULHOLLAND.
Giannetta: A Girl's Story of Herself. By Rosa Mulholland. With 8 full-page Illustrations by Lockhart Bogle. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 5s
"Giannetta is a true heroine—warm-hearted, self-sacrificing, and, as all good women nowadays are, largely touched with the enthusiasm of humanity.The illustrations are unusually good, and combine with the binding and printing to make this one of the most attractive gift-books of the season."—The Academy.
"No better book could be selected for a young girl's reading, as its object is evidently to hold up a mirror, in which are seen some of the brightest and noblest traits in the female character."—Schoolmistress.
Perseverance Island: Or the Robinson Crusoe of the 19th Century. By Douglas Frazar. With 12 full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 5s
"This second Robinson Crusoe is certainly a marvellous man.His determination to overcome all difficulties, and his subsequent success, should alone make this a capital book for boys.It is altogether a worthy successor to the ancient Robinson Crusoe."—Glasgow Herald.
Gulliver's Travels. Illustrated by more than 100 Pictures by Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 5s
"By help of the admirable illustrations, and a little judicious skipping, it has enchanted a family party of ages varying from six to sixty.Which of the other Christmas books could stand this test?"—Journal of Education.
"Mr. Gordon Browne is, to my thinking, incomparably the most artistic, spirited, and brilliant of our illustrators of books for boys, and one of the most humorous also, as his illustrations of 'Gulliver' amply testify."—Truth.
NEW EDITION OF THE UNIVERSE.
The Universe: Or the Infinitely Great and the Infinitely Little. A Sketch of Contrasts in Creation, and Marvels revealed and explained by Natural Science. By F.A.Pouchet, m.d. With 272 Engravings on wood, of which 55 are full-page size, and a Coloured Frontispiece. Tenth Edition, medium 8vo, cloth elegant, gilt edges, 7s.6d.; also morocco antique, 16s.
"We can honestly commend Professor Pouchet's book, which is admirably, as it is copiously illustrated." —The Times.
"This book is as interesting as the most exciting romance, and a great deal more likely to be remembered to good purpose."—Standard.
"Scarcely any book in French or in English is so likely to stimulate in the young an interest in the physical phenomena."—Fortnightly Review.
BY GEORGE MAC DONALD.
At the Back of the North Wind. By George Mac Donald, LL.D. With 75 Illustrations by Arthur Hughes. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 5s
"In At the Back of the North Wind we stand with one foot in fairyland and one on common earth. The story is thoroughly original, full of fancy and pathos, and underlaid with earnest but not too obtrusive teaching." —The Times.
Ranald Bannerman's Boyhood. By George Mac Donald, LL.D. With 36 Illustrations by Arthur Hughes. New Edition. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 5s
"The sympathy with boy-nature in Ranald Bannerman's Boyhood is perfect. It is a beautiful picture of childhood, teaching by its impressions and suggestions all noble things." —British Quarterly Review.
The Princess and the Goblin. By George Mac Donald, LL.D. With 30 Illustrations by Arthur Hughes, and 2 full-page Pictures by H.Petherick. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, 3s.6d
"Little of what is written for children has the lightness of touch and play of fancy which are characteristic of George Mac Donald's fairy tales.Mr. Arthur Hughes's illustrations are all that illustrations should be."—Manchester Guardian.
"A model of what a child's book ought to be—interesting, instructive, and poetical.We cordially recommend it as one of the very best gift-books we have yet come across."—Elgin Courant.
The Princess and Curdie. By George Mac Donald, LL.D. With 8 full-page Illustrations by James Allen. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, 3s.6d
"There is the finest and rarest genius in this brilliant story.Upgrown people would do wisely occasionally to lay aside their newspapers and magazines to spend an hour with Curdie and the Princess."—Sheffield Independent.
Girl Neighbours: Or, The Old Fashion and the New. By Sarah Tytler. With 8 full-page Illustrations by C.T.Garland. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 5s
"One of the most effective and quietly humorous of Miss Sarah Tytler's stories....Very healthy, very agreeable, and very well written."—Spectator.
BY MARY C.ROWSELL.
Thorndyke Manor: A Tale of Jacobite Times. By Mary C.Rowsell. With 6 full-page Illustrations by L.Leslie Brooke. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 3s.6d.
Thorndyke Manor is an old house, near the mouth of the Thames, which is convenient, on account of its secret vaults and situation, as the base of operations in a Jacobite conspiracy.In consequence its owner, a kindly, quiet, book-loving squire, who lives happily with his sister, bright Mistress Amoril, finds himself suddenly involved by a treacherous steward in the closest meshes of the plot.He is conveyed to the Tower, but all difficulties are ultimately overcome, and his innocence is triumphantly proved by his sister.
Traitor or Patriot? A Tale of the Rye-House Plot. By Mary C.Rowsell. With 6 full-page Pictures. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 3s.6d.
"A romantic love episode, whose true characters are lifelike beings, not dry sticks as in many historical tales."—Graphic.
BY ALICE CORKRAN.
Meg's Friend. By Alice Corkran. With 6 full-page Illustrations by Robert Fowler. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, 3s.6d.
"Another of Miss Corkran's charming books for girls, narrated in that simple and picturesque style which marks the authoress as one of the first amongst writers for young people."—The Spectator.
Margery Merton's Girlhood. By Alice Corkran. With 6 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, 3s.6d.
"Another book for girls we can warmly commend.There is a delightful piquancy in the experiences and trials of a young English girl who studies painting in Paris."—Saturday Review.
Down the Snow Stairs: Or, From Good-night to Good-morning. By Alice Corkran. With 60 character Illustrations by Gordon Browne. New Edition. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, 3s.6d.
"A fascinating wonder-book for children."—Athenæum.
"A gem of the first water, bearing upon every page the signet mark of genius.All is told with such simplicity and perfect naturalness that the dream appears to be a solid reality.It is indeed a Little Pilgrim's Progress."—Christian Leader.
BY JOHN C.HUTCHESON.
Afloat at Last: A Sailor Boy's Log of his Life at Sea. By John C.Hutcheson. With 6 full-page Illustrations by W.H.Overend. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 3s.6d.
Mr. Hutcheson's reputation for the realistic treatment of life at sea will be fully sustained by the present volume—the narrative of a boy's experiences on board ship during his first voyage.From the stowing of the vessel in the Thames to her recovery from the Pratas Reef on which she is stranded, everything is described with the accuracy of perfect practical knowledge of ships and sailors; and the incidents of the story range from the broad humours of the fo'c's'le to the perils of flight from and fight with the pirates of the China Seas.The captain, the mate, the Irish boatswain, the Portuguese steward, and the Chinese cook, are fresh and cleverly-drawn characters, and the reader throughout has the sense that he is on a real voyage with living men.
The White Squall: A Story of the Sargasso Sea. By John C.Hutcheson. With 6 full-page Illustrations by John Schönberg. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 3s.6d.
"Few writers have made such rapid improvement in the course of a few years as has the author of this capital story....Boys will find it difficult to lay down the book till they have got to the end."—Standard.
"The sketches of tropical life are so good as sometimes to remind us of Tom Cringle and the Cruise of the Midge."—Times.
The Wreck of the Nancy Bell: Or Cast Away on Kerguelen Land. By John C.Hutcheson. Illustrated by 6 full-page Pictures. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, 3s.6d.
"A full circumstantial narrative such as boys delight in.The ship so sadly destined to wreck on Kerguelen Land is manned by a very lifelike party, passengers and crew.The life in the Antarctic Iceland is well treated."—Athenæum.
Picked Up at Sea: Or the Gold Miners of Minturne Creek. By John C.Hutcheson. With 6 full-page Pictures. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, 3s.6d.
"The author's success with this book is so marked that it may well encourage him to further efforts.The description of mining life in the Far-west is true and accurate."—Standard.
Sir Walter's Ward: A Tale of the Crusades. By William Everard. With 6 full-page Illustrations by Walter Paget. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, 3s.6d.
"This book will prove a very acceptable present either to boys or girls.Both alike will take an interest in the career of Dodo, in spite of his unheroic name, and follow him through his numerous and exciting adventures."—Academy.
Stories Of Old Renown: Tales of Knights and Heroes. By Ascott R.Hope. With 100 Illustrations by Gordon Browne. New Edition. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 3s.6d.
"A really fascinating book worthy of its telling title.There is, we venture to say, not a dull page in the book, not a story which will not bear a second reading."—Guardian.
BY CAROLINE AUSTIN.
Cousin Geoffrey and I. By Caroline Austin. With 6 full-page Illustrations by W.Parkinson. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 3s.6d.
The only daughter of a country gentleman finds herself unprovided for at her father's death, and for some time lives as a dependant upon the kinsman who has inherited the property.Life is kept from being entirely unbearable to her by her young cousin Geoffrey, who at length meets with a serious accident for which she is held responsible.She is then passed on to other relatives, who prove even more objectionable, and at length, in despair, she runs away and makes a brave attempt to earn her own livelihood.Being a splendid rider, she succeeds in doing this, until the startling event which brings her cousin Geoffrey and herself together again, and solves the problem of the missing will.
Hugh Herbert's Inheritance. By Caroline Austin. With 6 full-page Illustrations by C.T.Garland. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 3s.6d.
"Will please by its simplicity, its tenderness, and its healthy interesting motive.It is admirably written."—Scotsman.
"Well and gracefully written, full of interest, and excellent in tone."—School Guardian.
BY E.S.BROOKS.
Storied Holidays: A Cycle of Red-letter Days. By E.S.Brooks. With 12 full-page Illustrations by Howard Pyle. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 3s.6d.
"It is a downright good book for a senior boy, and is eminently readable from first to last."—Schoolmaster.
"Replete with interest from Chapter I. to finis, and can be confidently recommended as one of the gems of Messrs.Blackie's collection."—Teachers' Aid.
Chivalric Days: Stories of Courtesy and Courage in the Olden Times. By E.S.Brooks. With 20 Illustrations by Gordon Browne and other Artists. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, 3s.6d.
"We have seldom come across a prettier collection of tales.These charming stories of boys and girls of olden days are no mere fictitious or imaginary sketches, but are real and actual records of their sayings and doings.The illustrations are in Gordon Browne's happiest style."—Literary World.
Historic Boys: Their Endeavours, their Achievements, and their Times. By E.S.Brooks. With 12 full-page Illustrations by R.B.Birch and John Schönberg. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, 3s.6d.
"A wholesome book, manly in tone, its character sketches enlivened by brisk dialogue.We advise schoolmasters to put it on their list of prizes."—Knowledge.
BY MRS. E.R.PITMAN.
Garnered Sheaves. A Tale for Boys. By Mrs. E.R.Pitman. With 4 full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, 3s.6d.
"This is a story of the best sort ... a noble-looking book, illustrating faith in God, and commending to young minds all that is pure and true." —Rev. C. H. Spurgeon's Sword and Trowel
Life's Daily Ministry: A Story of Everyday Service for others. By Mrs. E.R.Pitman. With 4 full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, 3s.6d.
"Shows exquisite touches of a master hand.She has not only made a close study of human nature in all its phases, but she has acquired the artist's skill in depicting in graphic outline the characteristics of the beautiful and the good in life."—Christian Union.
My Governess Life: Or Earning my Living. By Mrs. E.R.Pitman. With 4 full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, 3s.6d.
"Full of sound teaching and bright examples of character."—Sunday-school Chronicle.
BY MRS. R.H.READ.
Silver Mill: A Tale of the Don Valley. By Mrs. R.H.Read. With 6 full-page Illustrations by John Schönberg. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 3s.6d.
"A good girl's story-book.The plot is interesting, and the heroine, Ruth, a lady by birth, though brought up in a humble station, well deserves the more elevated position in which the end of the book leaves her.The pictures are very spirited."—Saturday Review.
Dora: Or a Girl without a Home. By Mrs. R.H.Read. With 6 full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 3s.6d.
"It is no slight thing, in an age of rubbish, to get a story so pure and healthy as this."—The Academy.
BY ELIZABETH J.LYSAGHT.
Brother and Sister: Or the Trials of the Moore Family. By Elizabeth J.Lysaght. With 6 full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, 3s.6d.
"A pretty story, and well told.The plot is cleverly constructed, and the moral is excellent."—Athenæum.
Laugh and Learn: A Home-book of Instruction and Amusement for the Little Ones. By Jennett Humphreys. Charmingly Illustrated. Square crown 8vo, cloth extra, 3s.6d.
Laugh and Learn, a most comprehensive book for the nursery, supplies, what has long been wanted, a means whereby the mother or the governess may, in a series of pleasing lessons, commence and carry on systematic home instruction of the little ones. The various chapters of the Learn section carry the child through the "three R's" to easy stories for reading, and stories which the mother may read aloud, or which more advanced children may read to themselves. The Laugh section comprises simple drawing lessons, home amusements of every kind, innumerable pleasant games and occupations, rhymes to be learnt, songs for the very little ones, action songs, and music drill.
The Search for the Talisman: A Story of Labrador. By Henry Frith. With 6 full-page Illustrations by J.Schönberg. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 3s.6d.
"Mr. Frith's volume will be among those most read and highest valued.The adventures among seals, whales, and icebergs in Labrador will delight many a young reader, and at the same time give him an opportunity to widen his knowledge of the Esquimaux, the heroes of many tales."—Pall Mall Gazette.
Self-Exiled: A Story of the High Seas and East Africa. By J.A.Steuart. With 6 full-page Illustrations by J.Schönberg. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 3s.6d.
"It is cram full of thrilling situations.The number of miraculous escapes from death in all its shapes which the hero experiences in the course of a few months must be sufficient to satisfy the most voracious appetite."—Schoolmaster.
Reefer and Rifleman: A Tale of the Two Services. By J.Percy-Groves, late 27th Inniskillings. With 6 full-page Illustrations by John Schönberg. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 3s.6d.
"A good, old-fashioned, amphibious story of our fighting with the Frenchmen in the beginning of our century, with a fair sprinkling of fun and frolic."—Times.
The Bubbling Teapot. A Wonder Story. By Mrs. L.W.Champney. With 12 full-page Pictures by Walter Satterlee. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, 3s.6d.
"Very literally a 'wonder story,' and a wild and fanciful one.Nevertheless it is made realistic enough, and there is a good deal of information to be gained from it.The steam from the magic teapot bubbles up into a girl, and the little girl, when the fancy takes her, can cry herself back into a teapot.Transformed and enchanted she makes the tour of the globe."—The Times.
Dr. Jolliffe's Boys: A Tale of Weston School. By Lewis Hough. With 6 full-page Pictures. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, 3s.6d.
"Young people who appreciate Tom Brown's School-days will find this story a worthy companion to that fascinating book. There is the same manliness of tone, truthfulness of outline, avoidance of exaggeration and caricature, and healthy morality as characterized the masterpiece of Mr. Hughes." —Newcastle Journal.
BLACKIE'S HALF-CROWN SERIES.
Illustrated by eminent Artists.In crown 8vo, cloth elegant.
New Volumes
The Hermit Hunter of the Wilds. By Gordon Stables, C.M., M.D., R.N.
A dreamy boy, who likes to picture himself as the Hermit Hunter of the Wilds, receives an original but excellent kind of training from a sailor-naturalist uncle, and at length goes to sea with the hope of one day finding the lost son of his uncle's close friend, Captain Herbert.He succeeds in tracing him through the forests of Ecuador, where the abducted boy has become an Indian chief.Afterwards he is discovered on an island which had been used as a treasure store by the buccaneers.The hero is accompanied through his many adventures by the very king of cats, who deserves a place amongst the most famous animals in fiction.
Miriam's Ambition: A Story for Children. By Evelyn Everett-Green
Miriam's ambition is to make some one happy, and her endeavour to carry it out in the case of an invalid boy, carries with it a pleasant train of romantic incident, solving a mystery which had thrown a shadow over several lives.A charming foil to her grave and earnest elder sister is to be found in Miss Babs, a small coquette of five, whose humorous child-talk is one of the most attractive features of an excellent story.
White Lilac: Or The Queen of the May. By Amy Walton
When the vicar's wife proposed to call Mrs. White's daughter by the heathen name of Lilac, all the villagers shook their heads; and they continued to shake them sagely when Lilac's father was shot dead by poachers just before the christening, and when, years after, her mother died on the very day Lilac was crowned Queen of the May.And yet White Lilac proved a fortune to the relatives to whose charge she fell—a veritable good brownie, who brought luck wherever she went.The story of her life forms a most readable and admirable rustic idyl, and is told with a fine sense of rustic character.
Little Lady Clare. By Evelyn Everett-Green
"Certainly one of the prettiest, reminding us in its quaintness and tender pathos of Mrs. Ewing's delightful tales.This is quite one of the best stories Miss Green's clever pen has yet given us."—Literary World.
"We would particularly bring it under the notice of those in charge of girls' schools.The story is admirably told."—Schoolmaster.
The Eversley Secrets. By Evelyn Everett-Green
"Is one of the best children's stories of the year."—Academy.
"A clever and well-told story.Roy Eversley is a very touching picture of high principle and unshrinking self-devotion in a good purpose."—Guardian.
The Brig "Audacious." By Alan Cole
"This is a real boys' book.We have great pleasure in recommending it."—English Teacher.
"Bright and vivacious in style, and fresh and wholesome as a breath of sea air in tone."—Court Journal.
The Saucy May. By H.Frith
"The book is certainly both interesting and exciting."—Spectator.
"Mr. Frith gives a new picture of life on the ocean wave which will be acceptable to all young people."—Sheffield Independent.
Jasper's Conquest. By Elizabeth J.Lysaght
"One of the best boys' books of the season.It is full of stirring adventure and startling episodes, and yet conveys a splendid moral throughout."—Schoolmaster.
Sturdy and Strong: Or, How George Andrews made his Way. By G.A.Henty
"The history of a hero of everyday life, whose love of truth, clothing of modesty, and innate pluck carry him, naturally, from poverty to affluence.He stands as a good instance of chivalry in domestic life."—The Empire.
Gutta-Percha Willie, The Working Genius. By George Mac Donald, LL.D.
"Had we space we would fain quote page after page.All we have room to say is, get it for your boys and girls to read for themselves, and if they can't do that read it to them."—Practical Teacher.
The War of the Axe: Or Adventures in South Africa. By J.Percy-Groves
"The story of their final escape from the Caffres is a marvellous bit of writing....The story is well and brilliantly told, and the illustrations are especially good and effective."—Literary World.
The Lads of Little Clayton: Stories of Village Boy Life. By R.Stead
"A capital book for boys.They will learn from its pages what true boy courage is.They will learn further to avoid all that is petty and mean if they read the tales aright.They may be read to a class with great profit."—Schoolmaster.
Ten Boys who lived on the Road from Long Ago to Now. By Jane AndrewsWith 20 Illustrations.
"The idea of this book is a very happy one, and is admirably carried out.We have followed the whole course of the work with exquisite pleasure.Teachers should find it particularly interesting and suggestive."—Practical Teacher.
Insect Ways on Summer Days in Garden, Forest, Field, and Stream. By Jennett HumphreysWith 70 Illustrations.
"The book will prove not only instructive but delightful to every child whose mind is beginning to inquire and reflect upon the wonders of nature.It is capitally illustrated and very tastefully bound."—Academy.
A Waif of the Sea: Or the Lost Found. By Kate Wood
"A very touching and pretty tale of town and country, full of pathos and interest, told in a style which deserves the highest praise."—Edinburgh Courant.
Winnie's Secret: A Story of Faith and Patience. By Kate Wood
"One of the best story-books we have read.Girls will be charmed with the tale, and delighted that everything turns out so well."—Schoolmaster.
Miss Willowburn's Offer. By Sarah Doudney
"Patience Willowburn is one of Miss Doudney's best creations, and is the one personality in the story which can be said to give it the character of a book not for young ladies but for girls."—Spectator.
A Garland for Girls. By Louisa M.Alcott
"The Garland will delight our girls, and show them how to make their lives fragrant with good deeds." —British Weekly.
"These little tales are the beau ideal of girls' stories."—Christian World.
Hetty Gray: Or Nobody's Bairn. By Rosa Mulholland
"A charming story for young folks.Hetty is a delightful creature—piquant, tender, and true—and her varying fortunes are perfectly realistic."—World.'
Brothers in Arms: A Story of the Crusades. By F.Bayford Harrison
"Full of striking incident, is very fairly illustrated, and may safely be chosen as sure to prove interesting to young people of both sexes."—Guardian.
The Ball Of Fortune: Or Ned Somerset's Inheritance. By Charles Pearce
"A capital story for boys.It is simply and brightly written.There is plenty of incident, and the interest is sustained throughout."—Journal of Education.
Miss Fenwick's Failures: Or "Peggy Pepper-Pot." By Esmé Stuart
"Esmé Stuart may be commended for producing a girl true to real life, who will put no nonsense into young heads."—Graphic.
Gytha's Message: A Tale of Saxon England. By Emma Leslie
"This is a charmingly told story.It is the sort of book that all girls and some boys like, and can only get good from."—Journal of Education.
My Mistress the Queen: A Tale of the 17th Century. By M.A.Paull
"The style is pure and graceful, the presentation of manners and character has been well studied, and the story is full of interest."—Scotsman.
"This is a charming book.The old-time sentiment which pervades the volume renders it all the more alluring."—Western Mercury.
The Stories of Wasa and Menzikoff: The Deliverer of Sweden, and the Favourite of Czar Peter.
"Both are stories worth telling more than once, and it is a happy thought to have put them side by side.Plutarch himself has no more suggestive comparison."—Spectator.
Stories of the Sea in Former Days: Narratives of Wreck and Rescue.
"Next to an original sea-tale of sustained interest come well-sketched collections of maritime peril and suffering which awaken the sympathies by the realism of fact.'Stories of the Sea' are a very good specimen of the kind."—The Times.
Tales of Captivity and Exile.
"It would be difficult to place in the hands of young people a book which combines interest and instruction in a higher degree."—Manchester Courier.
Famous Discoveries by Sea and Land.
"Such a volume may providentially stir up some youths by the divine fire kindled by these 'great of old' to lay open other lands, and show their vast resources."—Perthshire Advertiser.
Stirring Events of History.
"The volume will fairly hold its place among those which make the smaller ways of history pleasant and attractive.It is a gift-book in which the interest will not be exhausted with one reading."—Guardian.
Adventures in Field, Flood, and Forest. Stories of Danger and Daring.
"One of the series of books for young people which Messrs.Blackie' excel in producing.The editor has beyond all question succeeded admirably.The present book cannot fail to be read with interest and advantage."—Academy.
Jack o' Lanthorn: A Tale of Adventure. By Henry Frith
"The narrative is crushed full of stirring incident, and is sure to be a prime favourite with our boys, who will be assisted by it in mastering a sufficiently exciting chapter in the history of England." —Christian Leader.
The Family Failing. By Darley Dale
"At once an amusing and an interesting story, and a capital lesson on the value of contentedness to young and old alike."—Aberdeen Journal.
The Joyous Story of Toto. By Laura E.Richards. With 30 humorous and fanciful Illustrations by E.H.Garrett
"An excellent book for children who are old enough to appreciate a little delicate humour.It should take its place beside Lewis Carroll's unique works, and find a special place in the affections of boys and girls."—Birmingham Gazette.
BLACKIE'S TWO-SHILLING SERIES.
With Illustrations in Colour and black and tint.In crown 8vo, cloth elegant.
New Volumes.
Sam Silvan's Sacrifice: The Story of Two Fatherless Boys. By Jesse Colman
The story of two brothers—the elder a lad of good and steady disposition; the younger nervous and finely-strung, but weaker and more selfish.The death of their grandparents, by whom they are being brought up, leads to their passing through a number of adventures in uncomfortable homes and among strange people.In the end the elder brother's generous care results in his sacrificing his own life to save that of his brother, who realizes when it is too late the full measure of his indebtedness.
A Warrior King: The Story of a Boy's Adventures in Africa. By J.Evelyn.
A story full of adventure and romantic interest.Adrian Englefield, an English boy of sixteen, accompanies his father on a journey of exploration inland from the West Coast.He falls into the hands of the Berinaquas, and becomes the friend of their prince, Moryosi, but is on the point of being sacrificed when he is saved by the capture of the kraelah by a neighbouring hostile tribe.He is soon after retaken by the Berinaquas, and saves the life of Moryosi.The two tribes are ultimately united, and Adrian and his friends are set at liberty.
Susan. By Amy Walton.
"A clever little story, written with some humour.The authoress shows a great deal of insight into children's feelings and motives."—Pall Mall Gazette.
"A Pair of Clogs:" And other Stories. By Amy Walton
"These stories are decidedly interesting, and unusually true to nature.For children between nine and fourteen this book can be thoroughly commended."—Academy.
The Hawthorns. By Amy Walton
"A remarkably vivid and clever study of child-life.At this species of work Amy Walton has no superior."—Christian Leader.
Dorothy's Dilemma: A Tale of the Time of Charles I. By Caroline Austin
"An exceptionally well-told story, and will be warmly welcomed by children.The little heroine, Dorothy, is a charming creation."—Court Journal.
Marie's Home: Or, A Glimpse of the Past. By Caroline Austin
"An exquisitely told story.The heroine is as fine a type of girlhood as one could wish to set before our little British damsels of to-day."—Christian Leader.
Warner's Chase: Or the Gentle Heart. By Annie S.Swan
"In Milly Warren, the heroine, who softens the hard heart of her rich uncle and thus unwittingly restores the family fortunes, we have a fine ideal of real womanly goodness."—Schoolmaster.
"A good book for boys and girls.There is no sickly goodyism in it, but a tone of quiet and true religion that keeps its own place."—Perthshire Advertiser.
Aboard the "Atalanta:" The Story of a Truant. By Henry Frith
"The story is very interesting and the descriptions most graphic.We doubt if any boy after reading it would be tempted to the great mistake of running away from school under almost any pretext whatever."—Practical Teacher.
The Penang Pirate and The Lost Pinnace. By John C.Hutcheson
"A book which boys will thoroughly enjoy: rattling, adventurous, and romantic, and the stories are thoroughly healthy in tone."—Aberdeen Journal.
Teddy: The Story of a "Little Pickle." By John C.Hutcheson
"He is an amusing little fellow with a rich fund of animal spirits, and when at length he goes to sea with Uncle Jack he speedily sobers down under the discipline of life."—Saturday Review.
Linda and the Boys. By Cecilia Selby Lowndes
"The book is essentially a child's book, and will be heartily appreciated by the young folk."—The Academy.
"Is not only told in an artless, simple way, but is full of the kind of humour that children love."—Liverpool Mercury.
Swiss Stories for Children and those who Love Children. From the German of Madam Johanna Spyri. By Lucy Wheelock
"Charming stories.They are rich in local colouring, and, what is better, in genuine pathos."—The Times.
"These most delightful children's tales are essentially for children, but would fascinate older and less enthusiastic minds with their delicate romance and the admirable portraiture of the hard life of the Swiss peasantry."—Spectator.
The Squire's Grandson: A Devonshire Story. By J.M.Callwell
"A healthy tone pervades this story, and the lessons of courage, filial affection, and devotion to duty on the part of the young hero cannot fail to favourably impress all young readers."—Schoolmaster.
Magna Charta Stories: Or Struggles for Freedom in the Olden Time. Edited by Arthur Gilman, a.m. With 12 full-page Illustrations.
"A book of special excellence, which ought to be in the hands of all boys."—Educational News.
The Wings Of Courage: And The Cloud-Spinner. Translated from the French of George Sand, by Mrs. Corkran
"Mrs. Corkran has earned our gratitude by translating into readable English these two charming little stories."—Athenæum.
Chirp and Chatter: Or, Lessons from Field and Tree. By Alice Banks. With 54 Illustrations by Gordon Browne
"We see the humbling influence of love on the haughty harvest-mouse, we are touched by the sensibility of the tender-hearted ant, and may profit by the moral of 'the disobedient maggot.'The drawings are spirited and funny."—The Times.
Four Little Mischiefs. By Rosa Mulholland
"Graphically written, and abounds in touches of genuine humour and innocent fun."—Freeman. "A charming bright story about real children." —Watchman.
New Light through Old Windows. A Series of Stories illustrating Fables of Æsop. By Gregson Gow
"The most delightfully-written little stories one can easily find in the literature of the season.Well constructed and brightly told."—Glasgow Herald.
Little Tottie, and Two Other Stories. By Thomas Archer
"We can warmly commend all three stories; the book is a most alluring prize for the younger ones."—Schoolmaster.
Naughty Miss Bunny: Her Tricks and Troubles. By Clara Mulholland
"This naughty child is positively delightful. Papas should not omit Naughty Miss Bunny from their list of juvenile presents." —Land and Water.
Adventures of Mrs. Wishing-to-be, and other Stories. By Alice Corkran