The Coming Wave; Or, The Hidden Treasure of High Rock

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

23773

Title

The Coming Wave; Or, The Hidden Treasure of High Rock

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in Penobscot Bay, this nautical adventure follows honest working boys Leopold and Stumpy as they navigate a hurricane, a mysterious brig captain, and a buried fortune. Blending sea peril with moral integrity, the story appeals to young readers seeking thrilling maritime tales that emphasize honesty, friendship, and the consequences of temptation.

Summary up to 500 words

In Oliver Optic's *The Coming Wave; Or, The Hidden Treasure of High Rock*, the narrative unfolds against the dramatic backdrop of Penobscot Bay, intertwining maritime peril with a profound moral test. The story begins with a violent tempest battering the brig *Waldo*, during which the cook, Harvey Barth, secretly journals about a suspicious passenger, Jacob Wallbridge. Following the storm, the protagonist Leopold Bennington and his friend Stumpy investigate the wreck site beneath Coffin Rock. Leopold discovers a hidden bag of gold but, fearing his father will be tempted to use it for debts, he buries it again. He resolves to find the rightful owners rather than claim the treasure himself. Simultaneously, Stumpy faces eviction from his family home due to his grandfather's financial troubles and predatory lending practices. The plot deepens as Leopold's integrity is tested; he refuses to reveal the treasure's location to his father, choosing instead to seek the original owners of the *Waldo*'s cargo. The narrative explores themes of honesty versus survival, the value of friendship, and the moral duty to return lost property. A significant subplot involves the rescue of Rosabel Hamilton from the rocks during a storm-tossed yacht encounter, an act that elevates Leopold's status from a working boy to a social equal in the eyes of the Hamilton family. As the story progresses, Leopold's reputation grows, leading to a partnership in business and a new boat gifted to him by the Hamiltons to replace his lost vessel. The resolution sees the family debts cleared, the death of the greedy grandfather, and Leopold's marriage. The story concludes by illustrating that a life guided by high moral aims leads to true prosperity and happiness, successfully bracing the hero against the 'coming wave' of temptation and sin. Through these events, Optic emphasizes that even young people with good intentions can lead true lives despite errors of judgment, provided they strive for high aims.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/23773.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg23773.epub

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2026-07-04 12:40 UTC

Categories

• Adventure
• Fiction