A Roving Commission; Or, Through the Black Insurrection at Hayti

"A Roving Commission; Or, Through the Black Insurrection at Hayti" by G. A. Henty is a historical adventure story that plunges into the center of the Haitian Revolution. The story begins with Nat Glover, a young navy officer on the British ship "Orpheus", and follows his path from the deck of a ship to the middle of the revolt in Haiti, where the enslaved people are rising up. The beginning sets a powerful, serious mood by showing the horrible acts happening during the revolt, especially when compared to life under French rule. Nat isn't thrilled with his name, but finds friendship on his ship, and soon lands at Cape François, where he boldly saves a girl from a bloodhound, but gets hurt in the process. This brave act changes everything for him, leading him to new people and pulling him deeper into the fighting. The early events show the setting and the problems at hand, but also touch on bravery, struggle, and the personal challenges Nat has as he tries to navigate the disorder of revolution.