
In the hushed darkness of a Boulogne harbour, a modest yacht named the Spitfire lies concealed, awaiting a midnight departure that feels both daring and intimate. The narrator, a tall, determined lover, pores over a cherished letter from his beloved, his thoughts tangled with plans for a daring sea‑bound ceremony. Around him, the quirky captain Aaron Caudel and a motley crew whisper instructions, their banter hinting at both camaraderie and the tension of a covert operation.
As the clock strikes twelve, the yacht slips away under a sky littered with stars, setting the stage for a voyage that blends romance with the raw challenges of the open water. The story follows the pair’s attempts to unite in marriage while navigating treacherous currents, rival ships, and the ever‑present watchful eyes of customs officials. Russell’s vivid prose captures the salty air, the creaking timbers, and the quiet bravery required to chase love beyond the shore.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (351K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Al Haines
Release date
2010-05-24
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1844–1911
A former merchant seaman turned storyteller, he brought storms, shipwrecks, and life at sea to Victorian readers with unusual realism. His adventure-filled nautical novels made him one of the best-known sea writers of his day.
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by William Clark Russell

by William Clark Russell

by William Clark Russell

by William Clark Russell

by William Clark Russell

by William Clark Russell

by William Clark Russell

by William Clark Russell