

ILLUSTRATIONS
CHAPTER I. BY THE FIRELIGHT.
CHAPTER II. “IT WAS ON JUST SUCH A NIGHT AS THIS, SISTER.”
CHAPTER III. “THE FEARFULNESS OF OUR SITUATION CAN HARDLY BE REALIZED.”
CHAPTER IV. AMONG THE WOODS OF CRAIGIELEA.
CHAPTER V. “THE WHOLE WORLD IS FULL OF CHANGES.”
CHAPTER VI. “RUN, RUN!” CRIED TOM; “THE MAN MUST NOT DIE YET!”
CHAPTER VII. “HERE HANGS HIS BROTHER’S SCALP.”
CHAPTER VIII. “NEVER BEFORE HAD TOM EXPERIENCED SUCH A FEELING OF AWFUL DANGER.”
A quiet, unassuming boy lives on a modest farm, the youngest of five and often overlooked by his bustling family. Evenings are spent around the hearth, where the crackle of fire and the soft murmur of conversation create a comforting backdrop. Tommy—known to his sister as Ommy—finds his mind drawn not to the chatter of his relatives but to the whispering logs, whose imagined voices speak of past grandeur and hidden stories.
That early fascination with the fire’s secret dialogue hints at a restless spirit yearning for adventure beyond the farmyard. When the world outside calls, he will trade the familiar glow for untamed wilderness, encountering pumas, pirates, and a loyal cat that will become his unlikely companion. The tale promises a blend of daring exploits and gentle humor, inviting listeners to follow a shy boy as he transforms into a hermit hunter navigating wild, far‑flung lands.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (293K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
London: Blackie and Son ltd., 1889.
Credits
Chuck Greif, Al Haines and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2023-09-07
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1840–1910
A Scottish naval surgeon turned storyteller, he poured his love of travel, animals, and outdoor life into fast-moving adventure tales for young readers. His books mix brisk action with the confidence of someone who had seen ships, storms, and distant places for himself.
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