Optic, Oliver 1822-1897 creator text utu 2008 monographic en 1 online resource : multiple file formats "Little Bobtail; or, The Wreck of the Penobscot" by Oliver Optic is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story follows a young protagonist named Robert, nicknamed "Little Bobtail," who navigates a series of challenges and adventures, primarily revolving around his discovery of an abandoned yacht and the responsibilities that come with it. The narrative is set against a backdrop of familial conflict, personal integrity, and the trials of youth. The opening of the novel introduces Little Bobtail in a tense familial atmosphere, where domestic strife is depicted through his interactions with his father, Ezekiel Taylor, an abusive drunkard. Robert's protective instincts toward his mother are highlighted as he disposes of a jug of rum to prevent further harm to their household. This sets the stage for his adventurous spirit, which soon leads him to the discovery of a drifted yacht named Skylark. As he explores the vessel and contemplates its potential, Little Bobtail's character begins to emerge as a resourceful and determined young man, ready to overcome the adversities of his life. The premise introduces themes of resilience, moral dilemmas regarding smuggling, and a coming-of-age journey, enticing readers with a blend of adventure and moral reflection. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Release date is 2008-05-14 Produced by David Edwards, Josephine Paolucci and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive.) Original publication data not identified Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction Yachts -- Juvenile fiction Ship captains -- Juvenile fiction Shipwrecks -- Juvenile fiction Smuggling -- Fiction PZ Original publication data not identified https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/25466 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/25466 UtSlPG 260607 20260610133602.0 25466