
Chapter One.
Chapter Two.
Chapter Three.
Chapter Four.
Chapter Five.
Chapter Six.
Chapter Seven.
A bustling smithy cottage becomes the heart of a lively, tightly‑knit family, where a broad‑faced blacksmith raises five sturdy sons and a gentle daughter with a blend of firm guidance and heartfelt affection. Their days echo with the clang of hammer on iron, the raucous games of boys and pets, and the comforting cadence of a father’s favorite maxim: “Do whatever you do with all your might, as if to the Lord.”
Evenings gather the clan around a hearty supper, where jokes about pulled cat tails and buttery crumpets reveal a household that values good‑natured noise over discord. After the meal, the family settles by the fire for their cherished “confabulation,” sharing stories and laughter under the glow of the forge’s embers. This warm portrait captures the simple, vigorous rhythm of rural life, the humor of childhood, and the timeless lessons a loving parent imparts through work, play, and shared meals.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (119K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
Release date
2007-11-06
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1825–1894
Best known for classic adventure stories such as The Coral Island, this Scottish writer drew on real travel and working life to give his tales energy, danger, and a strong sense of place. He wrote for young readers, but his stories still carry the pull of exploration and survival.
View all books
by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne

by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne

by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne

by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne

by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne

by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne

by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne

by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne