
Set against the mist‑laden hills of a northern English dale, the story opens in the grand yet weary Tarnside Hall, where the aging landowner Osborn wrestles with mounting debts and a restless son eager to prove his worth. A sudden delivery of letters forces Osborn to confront the realities of his estate, the expectations of his family, and the stubborn pride that has long defined his identity. As rain patters against the windows and the lake shimmers beneath a brisk breeze, the tension between duty and indulgence begins to surface.
Gerald, handsome and ambitious, strives to balance his father’s stern demands with his own aspirations for a military career, while the household’s strained finances threaten to upend their comfortable routine. Their uneasy dialogue reveals a clash of generations, hinting at decisions that could reshape not only their fortunes but the very character of the estate. The opening sets a vivid portrait of a country gentleman’s world on the brink of change, inviting listeners to explore the delicate dance of honor, responsibility, and the longing for independence.
Full title
The Buccaneer Farmer Published in England under the Title "Askew's Victory"
Language
en
Duration
~9 hours (528K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2004-02-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1866–1945
Known for adventure stories shaped by real experience, this English novelist wrote prolifically about Canada, frontier life, and the wider British Empire. His books blend rugged settings, hard choices, and the steady momentum of popular early 20th-century fiction.
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