Little Bobtail; or, The Wreck of the Penobscot.

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

25466

Title

Little Bobtail; or, The Wreck of the Penobscot.

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in the scenic Penobscot Bay, this adventure follows the spirited Little Bobtail, a young sailor whose life takes a dramatic turn when he rescues a drowning girl. As his true noble lineage is revealed, he must navigate family feuds, legal troubles involving smuggling, and personal growth, ultimately proving that fidelity to principle is the only safe path in life.

Summary up to 500 words

In *Little Bobtail; or, The Wreck of the Penobscot*, Oliver Optic weaves a tale of adventure, identity, and moral redemption set against the picturesque backdrop of Penobscot Bay. The story begins with Edward Montague, a wealthy young man whose life is upended when he falls in love with Sara Medway, the daughter of his father's political rival. The Honorable Peter Montague, driven by intense political rancor and prejudice, disowns Edward and cuts him off from his fortune, forbidding any association with the Medway family. Meanwhile, the narrative introduces the protagonist, Little Bobtail, a humble and brave sailor working on the yacht *Skylark*. His life takes a dramatic turn when he dives into the treacherous waters of Lover's Leap to rescue Grace Montague, the daughter of Colonel Montague (Edward's father), who has fallen from a cliff. Despite exhaustion and the danger of jagged rocks, Bobtail successfully saves Grace, earning the title of a hero. Following this event, an investigation into Bobtail's past reveals a shocking truth: he is actually Robert Barkesdale Montague, the long-lost son of Colonel Montague and his first wife, who died in Cuba. Raised by his mother's nurse, Mrs. Taylor, Robert was unaware of his true heritage until this revelation. The discovery resolves the long-standing conflict within the Montague family. Colonel Montague, who had wrongly disowned his son Edward years prior, is reconciled with his family upon learning the truth about his son. The plot also features Captain Chinks, a smuggler who attempts to steal funds from the yacht club; he is arrested, and the stolen money is recovered. The wrecked yacht *Penobscot* is repaired, and the story concludes with Robert Montague fully integrated into his family. Having learned the value of duty and honor, he embraces his true identity. The novel emphasizes themes of truth, redemption, and the idea that good character transcends social status or political differences, offering a complete story of moral development suitable for young readers.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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data/epubs/pg25466.epub

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Categories

• Adventure
• Fiction