The naval cadet: A story of adventures on land and sea

A lively fourteen‑year‑old from the rugged coast of Skye, Creggan M’Vayne is as comfortable pulling a skiff through the Minch as he is roaming the mist‑clad hills with his faithful collie, Oscar. Known to fishermen, shepherds and the humble folk of the islands, he wins hearts by sharing his catches and by a quiet generosity that even his closest friend, the local minister, does not fully understand. His independent spirit catches the eye of Elliott Nugent, a man of authority, whose invitation to join the navy sets the boy on a path far beyond the familiar lochs and glens of his home.

Once aboard the gunboat Rattler, Creggan confronts the raw power of the sea, learns the rigors of naval life, and discovers that the world beyond Scotland holds both breathtaking beauty and formidable danger. From sudden storms to encounters with distant cultures, his first voyages promise the kind of daring exploits that will test his courage, loyalty, and the sharp instincts that have served him so well on land and water alike.