Young Barbarians

Nestie stands in the vaulted entrance hall of Muirtown Seminary, a stone‑bound academy that feels more like a battlefield than a school. The boys spend their breaks turning the courtyards and narrow backstreets into arenas for “Red Indian” tactics, copying the daring exploits of their literary heroes. Amid the echo of marching drills, the imposing circular stairwell and forbidden “well” become the stage for secret pranks and whispered challenges.

At the heart of the mischief is Peter “Speug” McGuffie, a quick‑witted leader who, together with the stern master Bulldog, orchestrates elaborate cap‑thefts and daring ambushes. Their rivalries blend humor with a genuine hunger for glory, as each day’s “war” pushes the boys to outwit one another and test the limits of their camaraderie. The early chapters set the tone for a lively, rough‑handed adventure where schoolyard politics feel like a miniature campaign of honor and chaos.