The Ocean Cat's Paw: The Story of a Strange Cruise

"The Ocean Cat's Paw: The Story of a Strange Cruise" by George Manville Fenn is a tale set after the Napoleonic Wars, where young Rodney Harding, a boy living with his naturalist uncle, stumbles upon an escaped French prisoner while fishing in Dartmoor. Rodney's compassionate act of aiding the fugitive sparks a series of gripping adventures on the high seas, filled with shipwrecks and diplomatic intrigue, all while facing scrutiny from the authorities. This initial encounter not only reveals the vulnerability of both boys but also sets the stage for a journey where their lives become intertwined with Rodney's uncle's natural history expedition, hinting at future struggles stemming from Rodney's choice. Readers are drawn into a world where acts of bravery and moral decisions shape destinies amid military conflicts and questions of loyalty and justice in a tumultuous period.