Lawrence R. Bourne

High seas, decrepit vessels, adventure, smuggling, and shady characters: what more could you want in a book directed at the young adult crowd of yesteryear.

Written in 1933 this book covers the adventure of two boys who discover a cave on the coastline of Scotland which turns out to be the drop off spot for some smugglers. Said smugglers kidnap the boys to keep their secret cave, well, secret, and then the adventure ensues.

We go from Scotland, to an Island off Scotland, onto the high seas, over to Egypt, and end in India.

An interesting peek into the past life (it's set in "present day" 1933) however modern readers may be a little perturbed by the language of the past, such as; "Niggers carry their clothes on their heads", "Well, you can try it if you fancy yourself a nigger".

Whilst such language may be offensive and unsuitable in conversation today, it does illustrate the language of the 1930s containing, at times, flowery prose combined with casually offensive language (by today's standards).

Overall, an enjoyable adventure story accessible to the young and old a like.… (meer)