List, Ye Landsmen! A Romance of Incident

"List, Ye Landsmen! A Romance of Incident" by William Clark Russell is an adventure story set on the high seas during the 1800s, focusing on William Fielding, a first mate returning to England. The story follows Fielding from the moment he steps ashore in the Downs, showing his deep connection to his homeland, but quickly plunges him into a world of trouble. He thinks about his adventures and affection for his uncle, Captain Joe Round, but a terrible storm and a strange pilot foreshadow danger. This journey goes to a darker place when Fielding encounters a ghostly woman begging for her son's body and must run from a press gang, launching the main character into exciting events. The novel explores themes of love, responsibility, and the tough realities life throws at you, all told from the perspective of Fielding, who is right in the thick of it.