Little By Little; or, The Cruise of the Flyaway

A spirited young sailor named Paul Duncan finds himself thrust into a daring sea‑venture when a mischievous friend persuades him to launch his modest dinghy in a sudden, fierce wind. The story opens with Paul balancing his sense of duty to his mother against the thrill of the open water, revealing a boy whose quick thinking and steady nerves keep the boat from capsizing even as the waves grow restless.

As the modest vessel slips from the shore, Paul’s calm leadership and good‑natured humor guide his companion through the early perils of the outing. Along the way, the narrative weaves gentle lessons about responsibility, courage, and the value of honest effort, offering a wholesome glimpse into 19th‑century youth on the Great Lakes. Listeners will enjoy the lively dialogue, the crisp description of a breezy lake, and the earnest spirit that drives Paul toward modest triumphs, all without sacrificing the simple charm of a true nautical coming‑of‑age tale.