The Lost Middy: Being the Secret of the Smugglers' Gap

"The Lost Middy: Being the Secret of the Smugglers' Gap" by George Manville Fenn is a thrilling late 19th-century adventure aimed at young adults, diving into the life of Aleck, a 16-year-old orphan with a passion for sailing but little taste for trouble. Raised by his scholarly uncle, Aleck's quiet life takes a sharp turn when he's swept up in a whirlwind of events involving a press-gang raid and the shadowy world of local smugglers. Frustrated by a stubborn money-box and clashes with his uncle, Aleck's attempts to avoid conflict are shattered when he's drawn into a brawl with local bullies. As Aleck stands up to his tormentors, the story introduces themes of duty, self-discovery, and fighting against injustice in a close coastal town setting.