Where Duty Called; or, In Honor Bound

"Where Duty Called; or, In Honor Bound" by Victor St. Clair is an adventure novel written in the early 20th century. The story follows a trio of young engineers—Harrie Mannering, Ronie Rand, and Jack Greenland—who are invited to South America to assist in exploring rubber forests in Venezuela, only to find themselves amidst political turmoil and danger. As they embark on their journey, the characters face unexpected challenges, including encounters with revolutionaries and treacherous waters, setting the stage for thrilling adventures. At the start of the narrative, excitement brews as Harrie reads a letter from Colonel Rupert Marchand, inviting the trio to partake in an exploration venture in Venezuela. In anticipation of the journey, they look back on their recent exploits in the jungles of Luzon. After agreeing to venture into the unknown, their passage begins aboard the suspicious ship, the "Libertador". Soon, they encounter trouble, including being fired upon and ultimately facing a series of misfortunes at sea, leading to their eventual capture by unrestful forces loyal to General Castro, which drastically alters the course of their mission and compels the story forward as they seek escape and reconciliation with their companions.