In its original shape Mr. Alger intended this tale of a soldier's son for a juvenile drama, and it is, therefore, full of dramatic situations. But it was not used as a play, and when the gifted author of so many boys' books had laid aside his pen forever the manuscript was placed in the hands of the present writer, to be made over into such a book as would evidently have met with the noted author's approval. The success of other books by Mr. Alger, and finished by the present writer, has been such that my one wish is that this story may meet with equal commendation.

Arthur M. Winfield.

February 16, 1901.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTERPAGE

  1. THE ENCOUNTER ON THE BRIDGE,[1 ]
  2. DARCY GILBERT'S STORY,[9 ]
  3. A MYSTERY OF THE PAST,[16 ]
  4. ON BOARD THE WRECK,[23 ]
  5. OLD BEN HAS A VISITOR,[30 ]
  6. MRS. RUTHVEN'S STORY,[38 ]
  7. A SETBACK FOR ST. JOHN,[47 ]
  8. THE HOME GUARDS OF OLDVILLE,[54 ]
  9. DR. MACKEY INVESTIGATES,[63 ]
  10. THE PAPERS ON THE WRECK,[71 ]
  11. MRS. RUTHVEN SPEAKS HER MIND,[78 ]
  12. THE BOAT RACE ON THE BAY,[86 ]
  13. DR. MACKEY TELLS HIS STORY,[95 ]
  14. JACK SPEAKS HIS MIND,[105 ]
  15. CAPTAIN JACK AT THE FRONT,[114 ]
  16. COLONEL STANTON'S VISIT,[125 ]
  17. A SCENE IN THE SUMMERHOUSE,[134 ]
  18. MEETING OF THE COUSINS,[143 ]
  19. A SUMMONS FROM THE FRONT,[154 ]
  20. THE STORM OF BATTLE AGAIN,[163 ]
  21. A LIVELY FIRE,[172 ]
  22. AFTER THE BATTLE,[180 ]
  23. DR. MACKEY'S BOLD MOVE,[188 ]
  24. THE HUNT FOR JACK,[197 ]
  25. A REMARKABLE REVELATION,[204 ]
  26. DR. MACKEY SHOWS HIS HAND,[212 ]
  27. COLONEL STANTON'S TALE,[220 ]
  28. IN THE HANDS OF THE GUERRILLAS,[228 ]
  29. THE ESCAPE FROM THE CAVE,[235 ]
  30. BROUGHT TO BAY,[243 ]
  31. FATHER AND SON—CONCLUSION,[252 ]

YOUNG CAPTAIN JACK.

[ CHAPTER I. ]

THE ENCOUNTER ON THE BRIDGE.