
On the rugged coast of eastern Maine, a small cove shelters the weather‑worn home of Captain Ben Rhines, overlooking the strikingly beautiful Elm Island. The island stretches three miles long, its twin ridges of rock and fertile valleys cloaked in spruce, birch, and swaying grass, while a natural harbor at its southwestern tip offers a rare haven from the relentless Atlantic swell. This secluded landscape, with its rushing brook and craggy cliffs, forms a vivid backdrop for a world where the sea and the forest shape daily life.
Here young Lion Ben, the captain’s son, roams the island’s untamed paths, learning the rhythm of the tide and the hard work of frontier living. His adventures—climbing moss‑covered cliffs, helping at the mill, and braving sudden storms—forge a character rooted in honesty, perseverance, and a love of nature. As he navigates the challenges of a growing community, Ben’s story invites listeners to share the timeless spirit of youthful curiosity and the quiet heroism of ordinary deeds.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (288K characters)
Series
Elm Island stories
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Edwards 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
2016-01-22
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1813–1901
A 19th-century minister and storyteller, he became widely known for lively boys’ adventure books shaped by the values, humor, and outdoor life of coastal Maine. His work blended moral purpose with energetic tales that kept generations of young readers turning pages.
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