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
CHAPTER I.
SIXTEEN YEARS BEFORE 11
CHAPTER II.
THE END OF A SAD STORY 29
CHAPTER III.
LITTLE BOBTAIL 47
CHAPTER IV.
THE JANTY YACHT 65
CHAPTER V.
MONKEY 81
CHAPTER VI.
CAPTAIN CHINKS 99
CHAPTER VII.
IN THE CABIN OF THE SKYLARK 117
CHAPTER VIII.
A CHANCE FOR BUSINESS 135
CHAPTER IX.
THE PENOBSCOT 153
CHAPTER X.
GRACE MONTAGUE 171
CHAPTER XI.
THE FIVE HUNDRED DOLLAR BILL 189
CHAPTER XII.
CAPTAIN CHIVES IS INDIFFERENT 207
CHAPTER XIII.
THE EXAMINATION 225
CHAPTER XIV.
THE DISCHARGE 243
CHAPTER XV.
A TRIP TO BAR HARBOR 260
CHAPTER XVI.
THE CHASE 278
CHAPTER XVII.
THE WRECK OF THE PENOBSCOT 296
CHAPTER XVIII.
ROBERT BARKESDALE MONTAGUE 313
LITTLE BOBTAIL;
OR,
THE WRECK OF THE PENOBSCOT.
CHAPTER I.
SIXTEEN YEARS BEFORE.
"If you do, Edward, you are no son of mine," said the Honorabl
|