Gascoyne, The Sandal-Wood Trader: A Tale of the Pacific

"Gascoyne, The Sandal-Wood Trader: A Tale of the Pacific" by R. M. Ballantyne is an adventure story set in the exotic and perilous Pacific islands. It follows Captain Gascoyne, a sandal-wood trader, as he and his crew face treacherous situations, threatening natives, and the looming possibility of piracy. The story blends themes of exploration with moral conflicts, all set within a world of danger and excitement. The story begins peacefully on the schooner, quickly painting a picture of high-stakes trade and the threat of warfare in the Pacific, as seen through a sailor's humor, conversations between the crew, and the stalking of a youth by a savage on a nearby island.