
audiobook
by William Henry Giles Kingston
A Royal Navy corvette, the Laurel, slips into a moon‑darkened bay on a covert mission to retake a contested island. Under Captain Blunt’s precise orders, three divisions of marines, sailors and cutlass‑wielding volunteers prepare for a night assault, hoping the sleepy garrison will be caught off guard. The tension builds as the small boats glide silently toward the fortified shore, each oar muffled and every breath held.
At the heart of the raid is Dick Driver, a sturdy seaman whose fierce loyalty and restless courage drive him forward. He sharpens his blade with a mix of pride and dread, aware that the upcoming clash could turn triumph into tragedy in an instant. As the first division pushes toward the town and the fort’s gates remain shut, the sound of distant gunfire signals that the battle has already begun, leaving listeners on the edge of a perilous, seafaring adventure.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (331K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
Release date
2007-05-15
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1814–1880
Best known for fast-moving adventure stories for young readers, this Victorian writer filled his books with sea voyages, survival, and a strong sense of duty. He also helped bring popular European tales to English readers through translation and adaptation.
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