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The Lady and the Pirate / Being the Plain Tale of a Diligent Pirate and a Fair Captive
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Stored record
Metadata
- Gutenberg ID
- 24907
- Title
- The Lady and the Pirate / Being the Plain Tale of a Diligent Pirate and a Fair Captive
- Language
- en
- Book source
- Project Gutenberg
- Description max 80 words
-
A retired lawyer and entomologist, Harry Francis Drake, steals his own yacht to rescue the kidnapped heiress Helena Emory from river pirates. Embracing a romantic, adventurous spirit he thought lost, Drake teams with his loyal skipper and the pirates' own crew to outwit rivals, recover stolen treasure, and secure a happy ending for the fair captive.
- Summary up to 500 words
-
In Emerson Hough's *The Lady and the Pirate*, the narrative follows Harry Francis Drake, a disillusioned scientist and former lawyer who has retreated from society to live a solitary life on his estate. His quiet existence is shattered when he encounters two young river pirates on his property. Instead of arresting them, Drake is captivated by their youthful spirit and romantic ideals, leading him to abandon his conventional life to join their cause. He steals his own yacht, the *Belle Hélène*, from his friend Calvin Davidson—who had planned a party for the kidnapped heiress, Helena Emory, and her aunt—and sets out down the Mississippi River to rescue them. Disguised as pirates and accompanied by his old skipper, Peterson, Drake faces numerous dangers, including a rival crew led by the legendary Jean Lafitte and his lieutenant, L'Olonnois, who also seek the yacht and its passengers. The story blends high-seas adventure with romance as Drake navigates the treacherous river, manages complex crew dynamics, and develops a deep affection for Helena. A pivotal moment occurs when the crew discovers a hidden pirate treasure chest containing a pearl and a ring; Drake uses these artifacts to propose to Helena. The novel satirizes Victorian propriety while celebrating the romance of adventure, youth, and the enduring power of love. The plot resolves with Drake successfully marrying Helena, reconciling with his friend Davidson, and finding happiness after years of professional solitude. Through this journey, Drake rediscovers the joy of life, realizing that true happiness lies in embracing romance and connection rather than isolated rationality.
- LLM editorial rating
- 4.2/5
- Download URL
- https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/24907.epub.noimages
- Local file path
-
data/epubs/pg24907.epub - Downloaded at
- 2026-07-04 13:51 UTC
People
Authors
- Emerson Hough
Classification
Categories
- Adventure
- Romance
- Fiction