The Poacher

This book from the pen of a famous nautical writer is quite land-based. Young Joseph Rushbrook has to "take the can" for a poaching accident in which his father had shot a man dead. The boy leaves his home and makes his way to London, where various misadventures and adventures befall him. There is a lurking devil throughout the story, the former schoolmaster, long discredited, of Joey's village, who recognises the boy wanted for murder. It is a good story, with all sorts of twists and turns, even including a very exciting carriage ride through a snowy forest in Russia, pursued by a pack of wolves. As always, the final outcome of the story is rather unexpected. (Nick Hodson - Athelstane)