Cringle and cross-tree : $b Or, the sea swashes of a sailor

"Cringle and Cross-tree: Or, The Sea Swashes of a Sailor" by Oliver Optic is an adventure story following Phil Farringford, a spirited young man answering the call of the ocean. Eager to become a skilled sailor, he sets out to gain experience hoping it will lead him to a reunion with his mother in France. Phil's determination is fueled by his adventurous upbringing. Despite his father's cautions, Phil pursues his dreams of mastering navigation in a way that brings him closer to his mother. However, his journey takes a twist as he crosses paths with the villainous Ben Waterford, whose dark history threatens to derail Phil's aspirations and plunge him into a world of danger and moral choices while challenging his skills as a sailor.