
A quiet summer evening on a Southern plantation turns into a moment of destiny when three strangers—two boys and a girl—appear at the doorstep of the Grant family. Their arrival, marked by a mixture of hope and fear, sets the stage for a tale that blends daring escape with the everyday life of a sprawling estate. The children’s varied backgrounds hint at the complex tapestry of the era, inviting listeners to step into their world of uncertainty and courage.
As the Grants learn the fugitives’ story, the narrative weaves together the grandeur of Redlawn’s sugar fields with the harsh realities faced by those bound to the land. The young protagonists must navigate a landscape of privilege and oppression, testing their resolve while offering a glimpse of compassion amid conflict. Listeners will be drawn into an adventure that celebrates liberty, challenges tyranny, and underscores the resilient spirit of youth confronting a turbulent time.
Language
en
Duration
~4 hours (261K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Edwards, Barbara Kosker and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2009-02-09
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1822–1897
A 19th-century American storyteller and educator, he wrote lively adventure books for young readers under the pen name Oliver Optic. His tales of ships, schools, and moral choices made him one of the best-known juvenile authors of his era.
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