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George Alfred Henty's final posthumous work concludes a vast library of historical tales written to educate and inspire young readers. His son Captain C. G. Henty revised the proofs following the author's death in late 1902. The story offers a classic adventure tracing a young hero's rise through the ranks of the Royal Navy. It embodies Henty's characteristic blend of rigorous naval history and personal grit.
PUBLISHERS’ NOTE
Orphaning in the Yorkshire fishing village of Scarcombe leaves young Will Gilmore in the care of fisherman John Hammond. Guided by Miss Warden, the local clergyman's daughter, Will receives an unusual education in mathematics and geography. His refusal to participate in local smuggling drives him away from home and into service aboard a naval vessel. Early discipline and literacy set him apart from ordinary recruits.
CHAPTER I AN ORPHAN → CHAPTER II IN THE KING’S SERVICE
Onboard his first warship, Will demonstrates fearless agility by ascending the mainmast outside the lubbers' hole without hesitation. Midshipman Forster recognizes the lad's unusual background and assists him in mastering practical navigation and quadrant work. Will and his loyal friend Tom Stevens distinguish themselves during gunnery engagements against enemy vessels. Rapid mastery of seamanship earns the young orphan an early path toward officer status.
CHAPTER III A SEA-FIGHT → CHAPTER IV PROMOTED
HMS Furious arrives at Port Royal to hunt down ruthlessly efficient piratical craft preying upon merchant vessels off Cuba. Cruising along tropical reefs, the crew discovers a newly burned European ship with murdered sailors left on deck. A fast-moving pirate schooner appears on the horizon, sparking a high-stakes chase toward treacherous shoals. The encounter sets up a dangerous hunt among uncharted islands and hidden anchorages.
CHAPTER V A PIRATE HOLD
A devastating hurricane strips the frigate of her spars and boats, stranding the crew on an isolated shore. Using fallen timber, the ship's company constructs a forty-foot decked vessel capable of deep-water navigation to reach Port Royal. Strategic ambush tactics at a narrow inlet secure the position against potential Spanish or French interference. The successful construction and defense earn Will his own independent command of a small prize vessel.
CHAPTER VI A NARROW ESCAPE → CHAPTER VII AN INDEPENDENT COMMAND
Commanding the armed cutter L'Agile, Will rescues the passengers of the scuttled merchantman Northumberland just as she sinks. Among those saved is the daughter of a prominent Jamaica merchant, winning Will widespread acclaim in Port Royal. Refusing public honors, he immediately requests fresh stores and three months to hunt the escaping pirate vessel. High-seas strategy and decisive maneuvering allow L'Agile to corner her heavily armed adversary.
CHAPTER VIII A SPLENDID HAUL → CHAPTER IX A SPELL ASHORE
Reaching England as a promoted officer with substantial prize money, Will visits Mrs. Archer to present a diamond brooch in gratitude for her early lessons. He settles a generous weekly allowance on John Hammond and his wife before joining HMS Tartar. A coastal boat attack against suspected raiders leads to an ambush by overwhelming numbers of armed Moors. Captured during the bloody melee, Will and his companions find themselves imprisoned in Algiers.
CHAPTER X BACK AT SCARCOMBE → CHAPTER XI CAPTIVES AMONG THE…
Escaping Algiers in a stolen boat, Will, Dimchurch, and Tom Stevens intercept a raging duel between the frigate Lysander and the French vessel Camille. Clambering aboard during a desperate boarding action, the trio swings the battle in favor of the British crew. Promoted to temporary commander of the captured Camille, Will navigates the prize to Malta. His remarkable initiative brings him into direct service alongside Admiral Horatio Nelson.
CHAPTER XII BACK ON THE “TARTAR” → CHAPTER XIII WITH NELSON
Massive fleet actions under Lord Howe on the Glorious First of June demonstrate the brutal scale of naval combat during the French Revolutionary Wars. While serving in the Mediterranean siege of Calvi, Will suffers a leg wound and falls into French hands. Imprisoned at Verdun, he escapes through France disguised as a pedlar with assistance from a sympathetic French girl. Reaching Dunkirk, he commandeers a small fishing vessel to return to British waters.
CHAPTER XIV THE GLORIOUS FIRST OF JUNE → CHAPTER XV ESCAPED
Promotion to second lieutenant on HMS Jason allows Will to undertake a private mission of gratitude at Porchester Castle. Determined to liberate Lucien Dupres, the fiancé of the French girl who aided his escape, Will adopts a disguise to gain access to the prison compound. Using a forged identity and carefully smuggled equipment, he orchestrates a risky breakout from the heavily guarded fort. Honor requires risking his own career to save a benefactor.
CHAPTER XVI A DARING EXPLOIT → CHAPTER XVII ON BOARD THE “JASON”
The decisive engagement off Cape St. Vincent highlights Commodore Nelson's unconventional boarding of enemy line-of-battle ships. Fighting aboard HMS Jason, Will steps into the role of first lieutenant after his superior officer falls in battle. Soon after, widespread mutinies at Spithead and the Nore threaten the very existence of the Royal Navy over pay and provisions. Leadership demands absolute composure when facing both foreign fleets and domestic rebellion.
CHAPTER XVIII ST. VINCENT AND CAMPERDOWN
Returning to London, Will visits Mr. Palethorpe and declares his affection for Alice while confronting financial setbacks from ruined investments. Investigations into his father's origins link the young captain to the wealthy Sir Ralph Gilmore family. Returning to Scarcombe, Will gathers final proof of his noble lineage before marrying Alice. High command, private fortune, and honorable heritage bring full closure to an extraordinary journey from orphan boy to naval hero.
CHAPTER XIX CONCLUSION
A complete outline of an orphan's meteoric rise through seamanship, courage, and naval discipline.