NAPOLEONIC WARS - FICTION
"The Privateersman" 
By Captain Frederick Marryat
Mr. Elrington starts out as a mate on a privateer and advances to get his own ship. He raids French commerce and does well. He does a favor for his employer and sneaks some Jacobites to France. He is caught and takes the heat for his boss Mr. Trevannion but is released from prison due to the efforts of a priest involved with the Jacobites. He then gets another ship and sails to Africa where he is injured and then taken captive by the mutinous crew. The crew takes the ship to Rio where he is sold into slavery to work in the diamond mines. Years later he is recognized by the same priest that saved him earlier. He is released and the mutineers brought to justice. On his way home to England he is shipwrecked and picked up by pirates. He is left afloat in Virginia where he is captured by Indians. He becomes part of the tribe before escaping and put into bondage by a Virginia farmer. During an Indian attack, he escapes and is once more taken up by pirates where he becomes an unwilling part of the crew. The pirates are run down by a British frigate and by fate, the frigate is commanded by his younger brother Richard.
Mr. Elrington returns home where his true love, Amy
the daughter of Mr. Trevannion still awaits him after all the years that have
passed. It turns out he is the son of a noble and the estate and title have
passed to him. He gets the girl, the money, and all ends well. The usual formula
for Marryat but still a great read and highly recommended. And I haven't given
away any of the fun by exposing the general plot. There are still many surprises
and a little history to learn.
Reviewed by Kenneth S. Smith
7/6/2000
Available from:
McBooks Press
Ithaca New York
