to Truth and
Duty, though the incidents of his life are various enough to satisfy any
young person's craving for novelty.

The story was suggested by some actual incidents, which occurred during
the brief summer residence of the writer at the locality of the
principal events described. Though there was a "Little Bobtail" there,
he was hardly the character who is the hero of this work. Penobscot Bay,
its multitude of picturesque islands, and its beautiful shores, are the
same in fact as in this fiction, and as for two seasons the author has
lived upon the land and sailed upon the water, amid its beautiful
scenery, he feels quite at home in the localities mentioned.

If Little Bobtail was loose in his ideas of "smuggling" at first, he was
clear in all his other views of duty; and having corrected his wrong
impressions, his example is worthy to be followed. The writer hopes
that, while his stirring experience will be enjoyed by the reader, his
excellent character will be appreciated and valued even more than the
worldly fortune he obtains.

HARRISON SQUARE, BOSTON,

October 10, 1872.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

CHAPTER I.
SIXTEEN YEARS BEFORE 11

CHAPTER II.
THE END OF A SAD STORY 29

CHAPTER III.
LITTLE BOBTAIL 47

CHAPTER IV.
THE JANTY YACHT 65

CHAPTER V.
MONKEY 81

CHAPTER VI.
CAPTAIN CHINKS 99

CHAPTER VII.
IN THE CABIN OF THE SKYLARK 117

CHAPTER VIII.
A CHANCE FOR BUSINESS 135

CHAPTER IX.
THE PENOBSCOT 153

CHAPTER X.
GRACE MONTAGUE 171

CHAPTER XI.
THE FIVE HUNDRED DOLLAR BILL 189

CHAPTER XII.
CAPTAIN CHIVES IS INDIFFERENT 207

CHAPTER XIII.
THE EXAMINATION 225

CHAPTER XIV.
THE DISCHARGE 243

CHAPTER XV.
A TRIP TO BAR HARBOR 260

CHAPTER XVI.
THE CHASE 278

CHAPTER XVII.
THE WRECK OF THE PENOBSCOT 296

CHAPTER XVIII.
ROBERT BARKESDALE MONTAGUE 313

LITTLE BOBTAIL;

OR,

THE WRECK OF THE PENOBSCOT.

CHAPTER I.

SIXTEEN YEARS BEFORE.

"If you do, Edward, you are no son of mine," said the Honorabl