Blue Lights: Hot Work in the Soudan

"Blue Lights: Hot Work in the Soudan" by R. M. Ballantyne is an adventure story about a young man named Miles Milton, who finds himself at odds with his father over his desire to join the army. This disagreement leads to a major argument, after which Miles leaves home and heads to Portsmouth, hoping to find his own way. In this busy city, Miles gets mixed up with a detective who thinks he's a criminal. Miles uses his wits to avoid arrest and befriends a sailor named Jack Molloy; however, the experiences he has on the streets and the challenges he faces, help him understand what it means to be an adult.