With Cochrane the Dauntless

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

25993

Title

With Cochrane the Dauntless

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

George Alfred Henty's adventure tale follows young Stephen Embleton, son of a Royal Navy officer, as he joins Lord Cochrane's fleet in South America. Blending historical naval exploits with youthful peril, the story features mutinies, cyclones, and daring escapes against Spanish forces, capturing the spirit of early 19th-century maritime heroism.

Summary up to 500 words

In G. A. Henty's historical adventure *With Cochrane the Dauntless*, young Stephen Embleton joins the crew of Lord Cochrane's fleet during the South American wars of independence. The narrative opens with a tense mutiny aboard the Chilean ship *Chacabuco*, which Cochrane suppresses with decisive authority, threatening to destroy the vessel if the crew does not immediately obey orders. Following this display of command, the fleet attempts to attack Spanish forces blockaded in Callao Bay, Peru. Despite heavy fire from shore batteries and the loss of the ship *Lautaro*, Cochrane's blockade proves successful, leading to the capture of vital supplies and money for the Chilean cause. Stephen demonstrates exceptional navigational skill, tasked with intercepting enemy vessels and aiding in coastal raids. The story then shifts to Stephen's personal journey as he travels inland with a muleteer named Gomez. They navigate the treacherous Andes, discussing the dangers of earthquakes and the hostile terrain of the Amazon basin. Stephen befriends an Indian guide and continues his travels, eventually receiving a letter from Lord Cochrane expressing gratitude for Stephen's bravery and loyalty. In the letter, Cochrane arranges for a substantial sum of money to be sent to Stephen to aid his journey home, acknowledging his debt to both Stephen and Donna Inez. The novel balances high-seas naval action with the gritty realities of overland travel, highlighting themes of duty, courage, and the struggle for independence in a corrupt political landscape. Through Cochrane's exploits, Henty portrays a leader who championed the oppressed, sacrificing his career and fortune to save Chile, Peru, and Brazil from Spanish and Portuguese domination. The narrative underscores the contrast between Cochrane's heroic crusade and the ingratitude he faced from his own countrymen, ultimately celebrating the spirit of adventure and the enduring value of loyalty and service.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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data/epubs/pg25993.epub

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Categories

• Adventure
• Biography