The White Mice

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

27232

Title

The White Mice

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set against the backdrop of early 20th-century Venezuela, this adventure tale follows American engineer Roddy Forrester as he navigates political intrigue and personal danger to rescue a imprisoned general. Blending humor, romance, and high-stakes action, the story explores themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the smallness of the world where unlikely heroes can change history.

Summary up to 500 words

Richard Harding Davis's *The White Mice* opens with a fable of a lion and a mouse, establishing the novel's central theme: small acts of kindness can save lives. Inspired by this story and a tale of a submarine mouse preventing explosions, four young Americans in Yokohama form the 'Society of the White Mice,' a secret order dedicated to preserving life. Their mission takes them to Venezuela, where they encounter General Don Miguel Rojas, known as the 'Lion of Valencia.' Imprisoned for two years in a damp dungeon by political enemies, the aging general is the target of a rescue mission. Roddy Forrester, an engineer sent by his father to secure construction contracts, becomes entangled in the local political intrigue. He befriends Inez Rojas, the General's daughter, and pledges to save her father despite the dangers. Tensions escalate when Pino Vega, the General's loyal but suspicious Chief of Staff, confronts Roddy. Vega, who secretly loves Inez and suspects Roddy of deception, clashes with the American, leading to a physical altercation that eventually shifts from jealousy to a shared understanding of honor. As a coup d'état unfolds in Porto Cabello, the city stands between the loyalist fort and rebel forces. Roddy, aided by his friends and the General's son, executes a daring rescue. He tunnels through prison walls, neutralizes the turnkey with dynamite, and leads the General and his family to safety just as the fort falls. The city erupts in celebration as General Rojas is proclaimed the new president. The story concludes with Roddy confessing his love to Inez, now that her father is free, cementing the bond between the American engineer and the Venezuelan family. The tale serves as a tribute to the 'White Mice'—ordinary individuals who perform extraordinary deeds to preserve life and justice.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/27232.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg27232.epub

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2026-07-03 15:53 UTC

Categories

• Fiction
• South America