
Midland Virginia spreads out in a golden October glow, its rolling hills and the shimmering Rappahannock River painting a picture of quiet abundance. In this tranquil landscape a young boy, rifle on his shoulder and loyal dog at his heels, moves through the woods with the ease of someone who knows every rustle of leaf and whisper of wind. His sharp eyes and quiet steps hint at a budding talent for navigating both the wild and the world of men.
When a splendid coach arrives on the king’s highway, its green‑and‑gold livery and stately horses draw the boy’s awe, while a lone passenger in a simple traveling suit catches his attention with a dazzling diamond‑hilted sword. The mysterious gentleman’s calm demeanor and the glint of his weapon suggest a story of honor, duty, and the subtle pull of destiny. As the young Virginian watches, the scene sets the stage for an adventure that will shape a future legend.
Language
en
Duration
~7 hours (418K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
New York and London: Harper and Brothers, 1896, pubdate 1903.
Credits
D A Alexander, David E. Brown, with special thanks to Abbey Maynard, Courtesy Charles Deering McCormick Library of Special Collections and University Archives, Northwestern University Libraries for providing the missing illustrations, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2023-09-17
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1860–1916
A Virginia-born writer with a sharp eye for history and adventure, she built a wide-ranging career that included novels, short stories, and popular historical writing. Her books often drew on naval life and the American past, giving readers lively stories rooted in strong research and vivid scene-setting.
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