Little Bobtail; or, The Wreck of the Penobscot.
by Oliver Optic
- Language
- EN
- Format
- EPUB
- Size
- 1.3 MB
Description
This adventure novel is structured as a standalone story within the broader Yacht Club series, featuring a young protagonist named Robert, known as "Little Bobtail." The narrative details his experiences with a series of challenges, including the discovery of an abandoned yacht and the responsibilities it entails. Themes central to the work include familial conflict, personal integrity, and youthful development. The story begins amidst domestic tension, involving Robert’s interactions with his father, Ezekiel Taylor, an abusive drunkard, highlighting the domestic strife that shapes the character’s early environment. The novel portrays Little Bobtail’s protective instincts and moral choices in the context of his family and personal growth. Published in the late 19th century, the work reflects the values and literary style common to American adventure stories aimed at young readers of that period. It exemplifies the genre’s focus on heroism, upright character, and moral dilemmas faced by youth.
From the opening pages
" Little Bobtail " is the first volume of the Yacht Club Series , each book of which will contain an entirely independent story, with a hero of its own, and having no necessary connection with any other story. The author hopes that this plan will commend itself to those who do not care to follow a young gentleman through half a dozen volumes in order to know the issue of his adventures, or to learn whether or not he is faithful to himself, to God, and his fellow-beings to the end. God's truth is always the same, and good characters must be very much alike. Little Bobtail is not very different from any other hero, devoted to Truth and Duty, though the incidents of his life are various enough to satisfy any young person's craving for novelty. The story was suggested by some actual incidents, which occurred during the brief summer residence of the writer at the locality of the principal events described. Though there was a "Little Bobtail" there, he was hardly the character who is the hero of this work. Penobscot Bay, its multitude of picturesque islands, and its beautiful shores, are the same in fact as in this fiction, and as for two seasons the author has lived upon the land and sailed upon the water, amid its beautiful scenery, he feels quite at home in the localities mentioned. If Little Bobtail was loose in his ideas of "smuggling" at first, he was clear in all his other views of duty; and having corrected his wrong impressions, his example is worthy to be followed. The writer hopes that, while his stirring experience will be enjoyed by the reader, his excellent character will be appreciated and valued even more than the worldly fortune he obtains. Harrison Square, Boston , October 10, 1872. CONTENTS. PAGE Sixteen Years before 11 The End of a Sad Story 29 Little Bobtail 47 The Janty Yacht 65 Monkey 81 Captain Chinks 99 In the Cabin of the Skylark 117 A Chance for Business 135 The Penobscot 153 Grace Montague 171 The Five Hundred Dollar Bill 189 Captain Chives is indifferent 207 The Examination 225 The Discharge 243 A Trip to Bar Harbor 260 The Chase 278 The Wreck of the Penobscot 296 Robert Barkesdale Montague 313 LITTLE BOBTAIL; OR, THE WRECK OF THE PENOBSCOT. SIXTEEN YEARS BEFORE. "If you do, Edward, you…
Ask about this book
An AI guide answers your questions about this title
FAQ
Is "Little Bobtail; or, The Wreck of the Penobscot." free to download?
Yes, it is free to download — no sign up needed.
What format is the file?
EPUB.
More by Oliver Optic
Similar books
Reader reviews Be the first
No reviews yet. Be the first to review this book.
Write a review
Protected by reCAPTCHA.