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The Maid of Sker

R. D. Blackmore

Set in late 18th-century Wales, the story follows an elderly fisherman who discovers a mysterious two-year-old girl washed ashore in a boat.

"The Maid of Sker" by R. D. Blackmore is a three-volume novel. Set in late 18th-century Wales, the story follows an elderly fisherman who discovers a mysterious two-year-old girl washed ashore in a boat.

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Read a passage

I am but an ancient fisherman upon the coast of Glamorganshire, with work enough of my own to do, and trouble enough of my own to heed, in getting my poor living. Yet no peace there is for me among my friends and neighbours, unless I will set to and try—as they bid me twice a-day perhaps—whether I cannot tell the rights of a curious adventure which it pleased Providence should happen, off and on, amidst us, now for a good many years, and with many ins and outs to it. They assure me, also, that all good people who can read and write for ten, or it may be twenty, miles around the place I live in, will buy my book—if I can make it—at a higher price, perhaps, per lb., than they would give me even for sewin, which are the very best fish I catch: and hence provision may be found for the old age and infirmities, now gaining upon me, every time I try to go out fishing.

In this encouragement and prospect I have little faith, knowing how much more people care about what they eat than what they read. Nevertheless I will hope for the best, especially as my evenings now are very long and wearisome; and I was counted a hopeful scholar, fifty years agone perhaps, in our village school here—not to mention the Royal Navy; and most of all, because a very wealthy gentleman, whose name will appear in this story, has promised to pay all expenses, and £50 down (if I do it well), and to leave me the profit, if any.

Contents

  1. 01Chapter I. Fisherman Davy a Fish Out of Water.
  2. 02Chapter II. Hunger Drives Him a-Fishing.
  3. 03Chapter III. The Fish Are as Hungry as He Is.
  4. 04Chapter IV. He Lands an Unexpected Fish.
  5. 05Chapter V. A Little Orphan Mermaid.
  6. 06Chapter VI. Finds a Home of Some Sort.
  7. 07Chapter VII. Boat Versus Bardie.
  8. 08Chapter VIII. Children Will Be Children.
  9. 09Chapter IX. Sandhills Turned to Sand-Holes.
  10. 10Chapter X. Under the Rock.
  11. 11Chapter XI. A Wrecker Wrecked.
  12. 12Chapter XII. How to Sell Fish.
  13. 13Chapter XIII. The Coroner and the Coronet.
  14. 14Chapter XIV. In Accordance with the Evidence.
  15. 15Chapter XV. A Verdict on the Jury.
  16. 16Chapter XVI. Truth Lies Sometimes in a Well.
  17. 17Chapter XVII. For a Little Change of Air.
  18. 18Chapter XVIII. Public Approbation.
  19. 19Chapter XIX. A Craft Beyond the Law.
  20. 20Chapter XX. Confidential Intercourse.
  21. 21Chapter XXI. Cross-Examination.
  22. 22Chapter XXII. Another Disappointment.
  23. 23Chapter XXIII. Into Good Society.
  24. 24Chapter XXIV. Sound Investments.
  25. 25Chapter XXV. A Long Good-Bye.
  26. 26Chapter XXVI. Braunton Burrows.
  27. 27Chapter XXVII. A Fine Spectacle.
  28. 28Chapter XXVIII. Something About Him.
  29. 29Chapter XXIX. A Visit to a Parson.
  30. 30Chapter XXX. On Duty.
  31. 31Chapter XXXI. Two Lovers.
  32. 32Chapter XXXII. Among the Savages.
  33. 33Chapter XXXIII. In a State of Nature.
  34. 34Chapter XXXIV Waiting and Learning.
  35. 35Chapter XXXV. The Polite Ferryman.
  36. 36Chapter XXXVI. Under Fairer Auspices.
  37. 37Chapter XXXVII. Two Poor Children.
  38. 38Chapter XXXVIII. A Fine Old Gentleman.
  39. 39Chapter XXXIX. Notice to Quit.
  40. 40Chapter XL. Forcible Ejectment.
  41. 41Chapter XLI. The Right Man in the Right Place.
  42. 42Chapter XLII. The Little Maid, and the Midshipman.
  43. 43Chapter XLIII. A Fine Price for Bardie.
  44. 44Chapter XLIV. Provides for Education.
  45. 45Chapter XLV. Introduces a Real Hero.
  46. 46Chapter XLVI. After Seven Years.
  47. 47Chapter XLVII. Mischief in a Household.
  48. 48Chapter XLVIII. A Breathless Disinterment.
  49. 49Chapter XLIX. One Who Has Interred Himself.
  50. 50Chapter L. A Brave Man Runs Away.
  51. 51Chapter LI. Triple Education.
  52. 52Chapter LII. Great March of Intellect.
  53. 53Chapter LIII. Beating Up for the Navy.
  54. 54Chapter LIV. Taming of the Savages.
  55. 55Chapter LV. Upon Foreign Service.
  56. 56Chapter LVI. Exiles of Society.
  57. 57Chapter LVII. Many Weak Moments.
  58. 58Chapter LVIII. More Haste, Less Speed.
  59. 59Chapter LIX. In a Rocky Bower.
  60. 60Chapter LX. Nelson and the Nile.

About this edition

Author
R. D. Blackmore
Language
English
Era
Modern (c. 1800–1945)
Reading level
Intermediate: some philosophy helps
Formats
EPUB, PDF
Length
566 pages
This edition
Modern Philosophers

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