
The Little Skipper - A Son of a Sailor
The siblings Bob and Dorothy, known as the Skipper and Dot, set out on a bright spring morning, their dress crisp like a naval uniform, ready for adventure. With a handcrafted model of the captain’s swift dispatch boat—complete with tin‑cannon steam and makeshift engines—they pretend to command a real ship on the sparkling lake beside their home. Their playful rivalry and protective bond make every step through the forest feel like a nautical patrol.
As they wander among fir trees, the chorus of birds and a bold wood‑pecker guide them toward a sunny clearing by the water’s edge, where the lake mirrors the sky. The children test their imagination, debating whether to climb a pigeon’s nest or keep their white uniforms spotless, while their trusty “Flash” boat glints in the sun. This whimsical start promises a day of daring games, secret discoveries, and the kind of childhood magic that turns an ordinary afternoon into a miniature voyage.
Soon they’ll test the “Flash” against the gentle currents, learning how the tin boiler hisses and the makeshift propeller spins, while Dot’s keen eye spots hidden treasures among the reeds. Their playful rivalry turns into teamwork, and the forest’s whispering leaves seem to cheer their budding courage. Listeners will share in the wonder of a childhood that sails between reality and imagination.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (64K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Lebannen Luitreath, Dave Clarke and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2007-02-08
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1831–1909
A hugely productive Victorian storyteller, he wrote adventure tales, school stories, and historical fiction that kept generations of young readers turning pages. Before becoming a full-time author, he worked as a teacher, editor, and journalist, experiences that gave his fiction its lively, practical feel.
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