The Young Buglers

In the bustling world of an 1808 English boarding school, two spirited brothers, Tom and Peter Scudamore, earn a reputation for mischief that is as clever as it is harmless. Their daring antics—whether stealing apples, dye‑ing a poodle blue, or laying a slick of tallow on a master’s doorstep—make them beloved troublemakers, always ready for the next escapade. When a routine river outing turns into a sudden, purposeful capsizing by a mysterious bargeman, the boys’ curiosity is sparked, and they resolve to investigate the incident themselves.

Under the cover of night, the brothers slip down to the riverbank, guided only by flickering lamps and the quiet of sleeping watchmen. Their secret boarding of the abandoned barge marks the start of a daring pursuit that will lead them far beyond schoolyard pranks, pulling them into the larger tides of the Peninsular War. As they uncover clues and confront danger, the story blends lively youthful adventure with accurate snapshots of early‑19th‑century battles, offering listeners both excitement and a vivid glimpse of history.