The Robert Louis Stevenson Library
This podcast features full readings of Robert Louis Stevenson's works, chapter by chapter. Listeners can enjoy tales of adventure, mystery, and human nature. It includes stories like Treasure Island, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and more. The podcast invites listeners to sit by the fire and listen to each book journey.
Episodes
The Black Arrow Prologue - John Amend-All
In which the quiet village of Tunstall is roused by a summons to arms as dark tidings of impending conflict spread, and the young Richard Shelton prepares to lead a wary band through brewing dangers marked by ominous black arrows and whispered threats. Amidst old loyalties and new suspicions, a deadly shot in a humble garden stirs fears and forces swift decisions, setting these rustic folk upon a
The Black Arrow Chapter 1 - At the Sign of the 'Sun' in Kettley
In which a stern and cunning knight, Sir Daniel, tightens his grip on a contested manor amidst fens and feuds, commanding loyalty with stern justice and a readiness for war. Amidst skirmishes of suspicion and the stir of battle, a secretive boy slips into the shadows, as the knight prepares to ride forth with both men and misgivings.
The Black Arrow Chapter 2 - In the Fen
In which a young gentleman, gallantly riding home through a treacherous fen, discovers a fellow traveller in dire peril and offers aid with no small courage and kindness. Amidst cautious talk of kinship, marriage, and escape, they hasten together towards sanctuary, the fresh morning wind carrying both their tale and their hope.
The Black Arrow Chapter 3 - The Fen Ferry
In which Dick Shelton and his kinsman, the slender John Matcham, brave a treacherous river crossing fraught with hostile watchers and dangerous currents, finding both peril and companionship amid the wild willows and swelling tide. Their flight through marsh and forest reveals both the hazards of their quest and the budding courage that shall be required for the days ahead.
The Black Arrow Chapter 5 - 'Bloody as the Hunter'
In which two young men, bound by oath yet torn by loyalty, traverse a forest ripe with danger and deception, their conflict as sharp as the arrows that fly unseen. They bear witness to an ambush that unfolds with cruel delight, where courage and peril intertwine beneath the whispering boughs of ancient trees.
The Black Arrow Chapter 4 - A Greenwood Company
In which two young comrades, threading their way through the wind-swept Tunstall Forest, chance upon the smouldering ruins of an ancient house and the secretive assembly of a roving band of outlaws, whose rough voices and fiery talk betray a brewing storm of vengeance and forest lawlessness. The silent tension of the scene is shattered by a sharp arrow, summoning the men to swift action and leavin
The Black Arrow Chapter 7 - The Hooded Face
In which two weary lads, roused by a mysterious and dreadfully muffled bell, encounter a seemingly sinister figure bound by a leper’s hood and go forth into the forest with no small measure of trembling and awe. They are soon revealed to be in the company of Sir Daniel Brackley himself, who, despite a grim disguise, offers them succour and a course towards the troubled stronghold of Tunstall.
The Black Arrow Chapter 6 - To the Day's End
In which two weary fugitives make their escape through a shadowed forest, encountering both peril and fleeting moments of solace amid the turmoil of a shattered battle. Their strained companionship is tested by harsh words and sorrow, yet finding reprieve at the water’s edge, they are granted a brief, tranquil repose beneath the trembling stars.
The Black Arrow Chapter 8 - Dick Asks Questions
In which a beleaguered company takes refuge in a stoutly defended manor, brooding over wounds, whispered fears, and the ominous shadow cast by a relentless foe known as the Black Arrow. Amidst this tense vigil, young Richard Shelton wrestles with grim suspicions and half-revealed truths as he seeks word from a dying soldier and contemplates the heavy obligations that fate and family have set upon
The Black Arrow Chapter 9 - The Two Oaths
In which young Richard Shelton confronts his guardian, Sir Daniel, with grave suspicions about his late father's death, only to be met with harsh denial and an oath of innocence that stirs uneasy distrust. Amidst the tense exchange, an ominous black arrow strikes the hall, and Richard is informed he must relocate to a chamber above the chapel, reputedly haunted, deepening the shadow that falls ove
The Black Arrow Chapter 10 - The Room Over the Chapel
In which young Dick finds himself ensnared in a perilous chamber within Tunstall House, his restless thoughts troubled by secret passages and imminent danger, until a familiar yet disguised visitor brings both comfort and urgency in the dark hours. Together they seize a fleeting chance for escape amidst the tumult and whispered threats, while the walls close about them with menace and confusion.
The Black Arrow Chapter 11 - The Passage
In which Dick and Joanna, caught within the labyrinthine passages beneath a hostile stronghold, engage in quiet discourse of their tangled fortunes and precarious plight. They discover a concealed escape hatch, whose unlocking offers a glimmer of hope amid the gloom and the company of wary sentinels.
The Black Arrow Chapter 13 - The House by the Shore
In which the wintry roads and shadowed lanes of a troubled town are alive with secret movements and whispered schemes, as young Richard Shelton pursues a mysterious company led by ill-famed knights under flickering torchlight to a desolate coastal house. There, amid the drafty stables and guarded gardens, he makes a stealthy and cautious discovery that sets the stage for urgent and perilous action
The Black Arrow Chapter 12 - How Dick Changed Sides
In which bold young Dick Shelton makes a desperate escape from Sir Daniel’s grim fortress, despite grievous wounds and odds that would daunt a braver soul, and finds unexpected refuge among allies who cherish his family’s cause. Meanwhile, a sharp and defiant challenge is sent forth to the cruel knight, foreshadowing a storm of conflict that shall rise in due course.
The Black Arrow Chapter 15 - St. Bride's Cross
In which young Dick Shelton meets with Lord Foxham at the ancient St. Bride’s cross to discuss terms following their recent encounter, displaying the honour and gravity befitting their stations and the turbulent times. They strike a tentative accord regarding the lady Joan Sedley, tempered by promises and the complexities of loyalty and circumstance in war-torn England.
The Black Arrow Chapter 14 - A Skirmish in the Dark
In which a nocturnal skirmish unfolds near a seaside garden wall as Dick Shelton and his rough band confront a mysterious band of armed men, their clash marked by swift violence and strategic cunning beneath the shadowed stars. The evening's tumultuous encounter ends with an uneasy parley and a quiet retreat, leaving behind the tranquillity of an emptied shore and the promise of a dawn meeting.
The Black Arrow Chapter 16 - The 'Good Hope'
In which young Richard Shelton devises a daring plan to seize a small ship, the Good Hope, from the harbour under the cover of stormy weather, enlisting the aid of a seasoned outlaw and some merry, if somewhat inebriated, sailors. The night is fraught with peril as they set sail into the howling gale, seeking to outwit their foes on land and overcome the wrath of the sea.
The Black Arrow Chapter 17 - The 'Good Hope' - continued
In which the perilous attempt to land men from the vessel Good Hope is met with fierce resistance and fearful confusion, resulting in disorder and retreat beneath the gloom of a tempestuous night. Amidst the turmoil, the steadfast helmsman Lawless guides the battered ship through treacherous seas, while a few loyal souls rally about him to face the uncertain fate that lies ahead.
The Black Arrow Chapter 18 - The 'Good Hope' - concluded
In which a wounded lord entrusts young Dick with secret orders crucial to the fortunes of England, even as their ill-fated vessel is cast ashore upon a bleak and snowy coast. The shipwrecked band, weary and half frozen, find themselves mistrusted and assailed by wary villagers who imagine them to be foes, revealing the harshness of these troubled times.
The Black Arrow Chapter 19 - The Den
In which young Dick Shelton, accompanied by the cunning outlaw Lawless, seeks refuge and warmth in a secret forest den during a relentless snowfall, where Lawless equips him with a friar’s disguise for a bold venture. Thus disguised, they cautiously journey towards Shoreby, testing their guises among suspicious company, preparing for the delicate enterprise that awaits them under the shadow of Sir
The Black Arrow Chapter 21 - The Dead Spy
In which a young man, having slain a spy in a secret encounter, cleverly leaves a warning upon the corpse that sets the wheels of suspicion turning within a grand household. Concealed by the guise of a friar, he ventures forth beneath watchful eyes to the abbey church, where he finds himself a reluctant guest through the silent hours of the night, his thoughts haunted by the events yet to come.
The Black Arrow Chapter 20 - 'In Mine Enemies' House'
In which the young Richard Shelton, disguised as a monk, ventures boldly into the ample and bustling household of Sir Daniel in Shoreby, seeking the fair Joan amidst the guise of mingling guests and hidden dangers. Within the shadowed chambers, he encounters unexpected allies and deadly foes, as the bonds of love and peril intertwine beneath the flickering hearth fire.
The Black Arrow Chapter 22 - In the Abbey Church
In which a sombre morning at Shoreby Abbey unfolds with prayers and a fatal disruption of a noble wedding by deadly arrows, placing young Richard Shelton under grave suspicion amidst a vexed crowd. Within the sacred walls, voices rise in defence and accusation, and as justice takes a measured course under a discerning lord’s hand, the tension of the hour gently subsides into cautious hope.
The Black Arrow Chapter 23 - Earl Risingham
In which the young Master Richard finds himself imprisoned alongside the resolute Lawless, both awaiting their fate amid the turbulent intrigues of Shoreby town, and contemplates the uncertain loyalties and dangers that surround them. He is granted a measure of clemency by Earl Risingham, who, moved by a letter and the honor of Richard’s father, weighs justice against party loyalty before cautioni
The Black Arrow Chapter 24 - Arblaster Again
In which young Dick Shelton and his companion Lawless make a perilous escape from a guarded garrison, only to be captured by drunken sailors who believe Dick to be a common pirate. Through cunning speech and a well-timed ruse, Dick manages a daring escape amidst the uproar of a chaotic night in the snow-covered town.
The Black Arrow Chapter 25 - The Shrill Trumpet
In which a young gentleman named Dick Shelton rises early to retrieve important papers and stumbles upon a lone warrior fiercely battling a group of assailants near the Cross of St. Bride, only to be drawn into a sudden and resolute skirmish under the command of a singularly deformed but determined young duke. The dawn finds these unlikely comrades preparing with bold purpose for a swift and darin
The Black Arrow Chapter 26 - The Battle of Shoreby
In which the young Duke of Gloucester seizes a poorly defended quarter of Shoreby and fortifies his position amidst the clatter and clamour of an unexpected assault, whilst young Richard Shelton is entrusted with a vital and perilous post. The desperate contest of archery and hand-to-hand combat rages fiercely, revealing the fierce courage and grim resolve of those engaged, with the duke’s ardent
The Black Arrow Chapter 27 - The Battle of Shoreby - concluded
In which young Sir Richard Shelton stands valiantly amidst the muddy and bloodied market-place, repelling repeated assaults from Lancastrian archers who emerge treacherously from hidden houses, while the weight of command presses heavily upon him. The tide of battle ebbs and flows fiercely until the timely arrival of reinforcements turns the tide, throwing the enemy into disarray and granting Shel
The Black Arrow Chapter 28 - The Sack of Shoreby
In which the young knight Sir Richard Shelton, amidst the grim aftermath of a fierce skirmish, braves the turmoil of a sacked town to seek out a lady named Joanna, all the while wrestling with the heavy cost of victory and the merciless nature of war. His pursuit leads him through scenes of ruin and despair, compelling him to gather a small loyal band and confront the harsh realities that attend t
The Black Arrow Chapter 29 - Night in the Woods: Alicia Risingham
In which Sir Richard and his men pursue a secretive party through a snow-laden forest, only to be confounded by a myriad of divergent tracks as night falls and the cold deepens, compelling them to seek shelter and rest. There, amid the flickering firelight, a tender and surprising exchange unfolds between Sir Richard and a young lady, whose sharp rebukes give way to unexpected warmth and playful a
The Black Arrow Chapter 30 - Night in the Woods - concluded: Dick and Joan
In which the young knight, leading a band of men through a moonlit and snow-covered forest, attempts a daring assault upon an enemy encampment but finds his forces scattered in the face of overwhelming odds, leaving him and his companions to press onwards on foot through wintry woods. Amidst the lingering sounds of pursuit and the glow of a distant abbey, he contemplates the lessons of war and the
The Black Arrow Chapter 31 - Dick's Revenge
In which young Richard Shelton, on the very morning of his marriage, encounters Sir Daniel Brackley and, with magnanimity, spares his life yet forbids him passage through York's lines, only to witness the knight struck down by a deadly arrow in the nearby thicket. As solemn prayers are offered beside the fallen, Ellis Duckworth reveals himself as the reluctant archer, sharing a moment of bitter re
The Black Arrow Chapter 32 - Conclusion
In which a meeting by chance leads to the unfolding of delicate matters of the heart and honour, as a steadfast maiden chooses the man she loves over a powerful suitor’s promise, amidst the stirring backdrop of war and allegiance. Meanwhile, quiet moments of joy and sober contentment are found in the company of friends and the gentle peace of a sheltered forest.
The Wrecker Preface
In which the stage is quietly set with a prologue that beckons the reader into a tale of mystery and maritime adventure. There is an air of expectancy, as though the very sea itself whispers secrets awaiting discovery.
The Wrecker Chapter 1 - A Sound Commercial Education
In which a young man recounts the well-meaning but stern commercial education imposed upon him by his father, set against the curious and ruthless amusements of a nineteenth-century trading academy where business is but a mockery. As their fortunes waver, a new prospect arises that blends art and family ambition, offering a stirring if uncertain path away from ledgers to sculpture, and a chance to
The Wrecker Chapter 2 - Roussillon Wine
In which a young American artist visits his austere Scottish relatives before immersing himself in the romantic and bohemian life of Paris, where an evening of wine leads to an uncanny encounter in a peculiar hotel. Amidst the autumn gardens and studios of the Latin Quarter, he meets a mysterious lady and her companion, unaware that these brief crossings of paths will quietly shape his future.
The Wrecker Chapter 3 - To Introduce Mr. Pinkerton
In which the narrator encounters the lively and impulsive Mr. Pinkerton, a young American with grand ambitions and a colourful past, whose zealous attempts at friendship and promotion lead to both camaraderie and unintended embarrassment within the artistic quarters of Paris. Together they explore their crafts, exchange earnest critiques, and navigate the curious blend of sincerity and publicity t
The Wrecker Chapter 4 - In Which I Experience Extremes of Fortune
In which the narrator, having tasted both fortune and adversity, endures the collapse of his father's wealth and wrestles with the precariousness of an artist’s life in Paris, all amid the loyalty and crude good humour of his companion Pinkerton. Together they explore the city's art and society, debate the virtues of commerce versus creativity, and confront the harsh realities that compel the narr
The Wrecker Chapter 5 - In Which I am Down on My Luck in Paris
In which our narrator, beleaguered by the gaudy life of Paris and the harsh realities of poverty, finds himself stripped of studio, friend, and fortune, persisting with stubborn hope amidst dismissive artists and empty meals. With courage trembling yet unyielding, he contemplates retreat and redemption, resolved to repay friendship and face the future honourably, even as he bids farewell to his ch
The Wrecker Chapter 6 - In Which I Go West
In which the narrator returns home to a family both stationary and stern, seeking assistance amid his failing fortunes, only to find himself plunged into the old strife and grudging generosity of kinship and legacy. With a check in hand and the weight of new obligations upon him, he ventures westward, soon ensnared in the boisterous and well-meant machinations of his irrepressible friend, Pinkerto
The Wrecker Chapter 7 - Irons in the Fire, part 1
In which the restless and enterprising Pinkerton pursues a multitude of audacious business ventures in the bustling heart of San Francisco, weaving a colourful tapestry of commerce, art, and curious companionships, all while grappling with questions of honesty and ambition. Meanwhile, his companion Dodd finds himself reluctantly cast as manager of a lively and whimsical Sunday excursion, marking a
The Wrecker Chapter 7 - Irons in the Fire, part 2
In which the narrator deftly serves as honorary steward at lively and diverse picnics aboard the steamer, weaving merriment and camaraderie among the merry throng, whilst also navigating the curious fortunes of a spark of investment in a struggling silver mine. Amidst the cheerful bustle, personal bonds deepen and plans for a brighter future are tenderly sketched between friends, their hopes danci
The Wrecker Chapter 8 - Faces on the City Front
In which a stranger in San Francisco roams its shadowy quarters and ports, mingling with a motley array of characters—from slum dwellers to South Sea traders—and becomes drawn to the enigmatic island world beyond the Pacific. Amidst these wanderings, he encounters tales of maritime violence and the wretched plight of a ship’s crew, culminating in a vivid meeting with a haunted captain whose restle
The Wrecker Chapter 9 - The Wreck of the 'Flying Scud'
In which a matter-of-fact newspaper report recounts the recent wreck of the British brig Flying Scud on a remote island, setting the stage for a spirited auction in San Francisco where interested parties vie for the salvage rights, revealing the mercantile cunning beneath the surface of maritime misfortune. Among the crowd, a complex dance of high stakes and hidden agendas unfolds, as the narrator
The Wrecker Chapter 10 - In Which the Crew Vanish, part 1
In which our narrator, amidst the bustling streets of San Francisco and the tense whispers of clandestine dealings, encounters a wary attorney and his client, unraveling threads of suspicion around a mysterious sale and the hidden cargo of a stranded vessel. The conversation sharpens into a delicate dance of withheld truths and cautious strikes, as plans are laid to press forward with a venture la
The Wrecker Chapter 10 - In Which the Crew Vanish, part 2
In which the narrator and his steadfast companion, Pinkerton, pursue clues amidst vanished men and mysterious absences, their inquiry taking them through various haunts and official offices with a mixture of frustration and resolve. The day’s toils end in uneasy reflection, where questions multiply and a sombre pride arises from their steadfast devotion to a cause steeped in secrecy and hazard.
The Wrecker Chapter 11 - In Which Jim and I Take Different Ways
In which the restless dawn finds our party embroiled in the bustling preparations for a voyage marked by a curious blend of business and personal ceremony, as new command is taken aboard the shabby Norah Creina and a hopeful marriage is consummated amid the ship’s disorder. With a mixture of apprehension and ardour, the vessel sets forth into the grey morning, bearing with it the weight of impendi
The Wrecker Chapter 12 - The 'Nora Creina'
In which we embark upon a vivid account of a schooner's voyage through the South Seas, marked by the austere character of its captain and the capricious moods of wind and wave that both threaten and enchant the crew. The narrative captures the tense approach to a distant island, with the vessel battling worsening weather and the uneasy anticipation of unfamiliar reefs guarding a mysterious wreck.
The Wrecker Chapter 13 - The Island and the Wreck
In which a weary crew reaches a remote coral island and cautiously explores the eerie and abandoned wreck of the Flying Scud, pondering its fate amid the clamour of sea-birds and the ruinous presence of derelict stores and tattered sails. Observations and uneasy suspicions arise as familiar evidences defy expectation, suggesting that all is not as it first appeared in the mariner’s tale.
The Wrecker Chapter 14 - The Cabin of the 'Flying Scud'
In which two sober searchers, armed with axes and keen eyes, set about the dismantling of the sunken Flying Scud, uncovering a trove of curious cargo and perplexing papers that hint at an inscrutable story beneath the surface. Amidst locked chests, dated newspapers, and a photograph of stern-faced mariners, they wrestle with puzzles of identity and intention, pondering the strange silence of a cap
The Wrecker Chapter 15 - The Cargo of the 'Flying Scud'
In which the narrator and Captain Nares labour with grim resolve to uncover the hidden opium aboard the wreck of the Flying Scud, striving against fatigue, mutiny, and the enigma of the ship’s true cargo amidst desolate isolation. Following the fruitless toil and the discovery of scant spoil, they grapple with the weight of their defeat and the silent mysteries the island holds, while pondering th
The Wrecker Chapter 16 - In Which I Turn Smuggler, and the Captain Casuist
In which the narrator faces the bitter realities of financial ruin and is drawn into a cautious smuggling venture under the watchful eyes of dubious companions, while reflecting on friendship and honour amid perilous choices. With heavy heart and a resolute spirit, he confides in the steadfast captain, weighing the burdens of loyalty, risk, and conscience as the night unfolds on the restless sea.
The Wrecker Chapter 17 - Light From the Man of War
In which the narrator, cast ashore in the bustling yet ancient harbour of Honolulu, encounters a British naval officer and his reticent doctor aboard the man-of-war Tempest, whose knowledge of the shipwrecked Flying Scud and its enigmatic survivor, Mr. Carthew, draws him into a subtle dance of guarded confidences and sombre reflections. Through their civil yet elusive discourse, he glimpses a deep
The Wrecker Chapter 18 - Cross Questions and Crooked Answers
In which our narrator returns to San Francisco to find his friend Jim crushed by business failure and domestic strife, yet discovers a complex tangle of secrets and misunderstandings revolving around a disastrous venture and a burned ship. Amid reproaches and revelations, a letter from an unexpected source kindles a sudden hope of fortune, inviting a renewed spirit of camaraderie and plans for cel
The Wrecker Chapter 19 - Travels with a Shyster, part 1
In which the narrator recounts his weary yet watchful sojourn in San Francisco, entangling once more in the curious affairs surrounding the Flying Scud and its mysterious legacy, while observing the wretched yet strangely poetic figure of the disbarred lawyer Bellairs. Amidst cautious manoeuvres and uneasy alliances, a tale of faded ambition and desperate intrigue unfolds, coloured by reflections
The Wrecker Chapter 19 - Travels with a Shyster, part 2
In which a downfallen man, beleaguered by misfortune and bitter experience, enlists the reluctant aid of a well-meaning stranger, and together they traverse the rain-soaked towns of England in uneasy companionship. Yet as hopes of resolution flicker dimly, shadows of despair and madness gather apace, revealing the fragile and troubled nature of their alliance.
The Wrecker Chapter 20 - Stallbridge-Le-Carthew
In which a lone traveller pursues a mysterious stranger to the grand but somber estate of Stallbridge-le-Carthew, where the weight of a family’s faded glories and whispered sorrows lingers in every shadowed corner and well-kept garden. Amidst the genteel confines of the manor’s ancient halls and humble inn, an unexpected clue concealed in postage-stamps offers a delicate thread of hope in the deli
The Wrecker Chapter 21 - Face to Face
In which the narrator encounters an old acquaintance, Stennis, in the quietude of Barbizon, who introduces him to a rather melancholy yet gentlemanly artist named Madden, suspected to be a long-lost brother. Over dinner and ensuing confidences in Madden’s studio, they exchange tales and mysteries that unveil layers of shared history and unspoken burdens beneath the convivial surface.
The Wrecker Chapter 22 - The Remittance Man, part 1
In which we observe the gentle tragedy of Singleton Carthew’s son Norris, a youth of sensitive indifference and vague talent, whose life drifts between paternal reproach and a disengaged pursuit of art, culminating in a reluctant exile to the antipodean colonies. Here, amid Sydney’s lowly haunts and the ceaseless labour of railway navvies, Norris discovers a rough redemption and a peculiar measure
The Wrecker Chapter 22 - The Remittance Man, part 2
In which two gentlemen, each freshly returned from their own adventures among the islands, conspire over generous meals and lively discourse to embark upon a speculative trading venture, their plans enlivened by encounters with a colourful cast of seafarers and colonial characters. Amidst their spirited negotiations and the lawyer’s stern rebuke, the tale unfolds with the charm of youthful enterpr
The Wrecker Chapter 23 - The Budget of the 'Currency Lass', part 1
In which the battered Currency Lass, a once-fine schooner patched with scanty repairs and manned by a motley but cheerful crew, sets out from Sydney on a venture of scant provisions and hopeful trade, navigating the South Sea Islands with the eager recklessness of youth and fortune. The voyage unfolds with laughter, song, and the promise of profit, even as the ship’s fragile condition and the crew
The Wrecker Chapter 23 - The Budget of the 'Currency Lass', part 2
In which a sudden misfortune leaves a majestic vessel dismasted and cast adrift upon a solitary reef, forcing her crew into the grim calculus of survival on a forsaken islet amid thoughts of distant rescue and the vexing prize of their unclaimed treasure. They endure bitter weather, uneasy camaraderie, and restless watches, their spirits rising and falling as the glimmer of salvation momentarily a
The Wrecker Chapter 24 - A Hard Bargain
In which a kindly brig commanded by a cautious former banker offers rescue to a band of castaways, but the price of passage soon reveals a hard bargain that frays human tempers and loyalty alike. The ensuing encounter turns ferocious, marked by desperate violence and grim reckonings aboard the ship, as the survivors grapple with the bitter cost of their deliverance.
The Wrecker Chapter 25 - A Bad Bargain, part 1
In which the dawn finds Carthew seized by a rush of haunting memories and a grievous silence upon the brig as the company faces their dire morning amid the aftermath of violence and loss, struggling to reconcile their guilt and prepare for the uncertain voyage ahead. As they contend with their frailties and the captain’s uneasy command, a distant smoke on the horizon stirs a desperate hope and int
The Wrecker Chapter 25 - A Bad Bargain, part 2
In which a desperate crew stages a sham wreck to escape peril and finds uneasy refuge aboard a man-of-war, where suspicion and falsehood mingle with fleeting hope and cunning resolve. The tale gently unfolds through shifting fortunes, whispered confidences, and quiet alliances, drawing us away from the tumult to a reflective epilogue that muses on art, memory, and the curious weaving of destiny.
The Wrecker Epilogue
In which the narrator, meeting Dodd in a quaint pearl-inlaid church among the amiable islanders of Manihiki, gathers the scattered fates of Carthew and their companions - tales of fortune lost and regained, of distant ventures from Persia to the South Seas, and of lives blown about the globe like ships before a restless wind.
Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes - A Mountain Town in France
In which we explore the mountain town of Le Monastier, its hardy and lively inhabitants, their customs and struggles, and the surrounding upland landscape that bears an air at once rugged and homely. The author reflects with affectionate curiosity on the local lace-makers, Sabbath observances, spirited conversations, and the endurance required to live through the harsh, snowbound winters of the Ce
Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes - The Donkey, the Pack and the Pack-Saddle
In which the author finds himself warmly received in a mountain town rife with political strife, where he invents a cosy sleeping-sack and selects a small, spirited donkey named Modestine to bear his burdens on the journey ahead. Despite earnest preparations and many kindly interventions, the delicate art of packing proves a troublesome foe, foreshadowing trials yet to come upon the road.
Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes - The Green Donkey-Driver
In which a slow and stubborn donkey, Modestine, tests the traveller’s patience and kindness over steep and winding roads, while a local peasant instructs him in the harsh necessities of donkey-driving. As evening falls and burdens tumble, the journey grows more solitary and challenging, yet shaded with moments of rustic life and quiet reflection amid the Cevennes’ rugged solitude.
Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes - I Have a Goad
In which the author finds himself lodged in the humble and homely auberge of Bouchet St. Nicholas, where rustic hospitality and simple fare accompany the quiet rhythms of rural life, and a kindly innkeeper presents him with a most fortuitous invention: the goad, a gentle rod that transforms both beast and master’s journey with quiet authority. From the harsh highlands the traveller descends throug
Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes - A Camp in the Dark
In which a weary traveller endeavours to reach Le Cheylard l'Évéque through a labyrinth of moor and marsh, encountering mischievous villagers and the eerie dance of children at dusk. As night falls pitch black and the wind howls incessantly, he finds shelter in a forest hollow, where the harsh wilderness becomes a humble haven for rest and reflection.
Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes - Cheylard and Luc
In which the traveller finds small, humble villages with their own quiet life amid the bleakness of the highlands, and comes to recognise the weariness both of his donkey, Modestine, and of the journey itself through this desolate country. The inns offer simple hospitality, while the harsh wind and barren landscape conspire to remind a solitary wayfarer of the raw and unvarnished reality of travel
Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes - Father Apollinaris
In which the narrator progresses through a wild and rocky landscape, approaching the remote Trappist monastery of Our Lady of the Snows with a mixture of awe and superstition, encountering there the kindly yet enigmatic Father Apollinaris, whose vow of silence and earnest devotion both disturb and charm him. Despite initial hesitation and the monastery’s solemn air, he is eventually welcomed insid
Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes - The Monks
In which I am graciously received by the monks of a bleak and windswept retreat, where their austere lives are a curious blend of devout ritual, industrious labour, and unexpected cheerfulness. Amid silent cloisters and ceaseless bell tolls, I find myself reflecting on the wisdom of their rigorous rule and the serene, if isolated, rhythm of their days.
Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes - The Boarders
In which the narrator finds himself among a curious company of boarders at a remote monastery, whose varied characters and earnest debates reveal the rich complexities of faith and conviction in this secluded retreat. The evenings are marked by lively discourse on politics and religion, where the tensions between personal belief and the passionate zeal of others provide both discomfort and insight
Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes - Across the Goulet
In which the traveller, accompanied by his steadfast donkey Modestine, departs the monastery gate under a promising sky and journeys through varied landscapes—navigating upland fields, beech and birch woods, and the singing village of Lestampes—before confronting the stubbornness of his donkey on a steep shortcut over the mountain of La Goulet. Thereafter, he traverses a solitary, stone-marked upl
Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes - A Night Among the Pines
In which a solitary night spent among tall pines on a cold mountain ridge reveals the subtle rhythms and gentle companionship of nature’s nocturnal life, inspiring reflections on freedom and the tender pleasures of solitude. Through the sparkling stars and whispering winds, the quiet presence of an ass and a lone passerby’s song evoke a serene communion with the elemental world beneath the vast sk
Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes - Across the Lozère
In which the traveller ascends the bare heights of the Lozère, where the winds blow keen and the distant hills unfold a misty tapestry of history and heroic rebellion, recalling the fierce and devout struggles of the Camisards. Descending into a verdant valley clothed in autumnal splendour and accompanied only by a solitary child's call, he finds himself drawn into a land where the weight of past
Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes - Pont de Montvert
In which the traveller arrives at Pont de Montvert, a quaint southern town marked by its lively Sunday bustle and the intriguing presence of Clarisse, while reflecting on the subtle yet palpable distinctions of place and people that colour his journey. Here, amidst the echoes of fervent psalms and the shadowy memory of historic persecutions, he recounts the grim tale of François de Langlade du Cha
Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes - In the Valley of the Tarn
In which the traveller explores the beauteous valley of the Tarn, where stalwart chestnut trees stand sentinel over terraces and cliffs, filling the air with their faint perfume and the hum of summer's decline. Amidst the picturesque landscape, he encounters simple, devout folk whose quiet faith and gentle courtesies offer a touching glimpse into the enduring spirit of this tranquil, yet rugged, m
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