The Hermit Hunter of the Wilds by Gordon Stables

The story follows Tommy Talisker, a dreamy and unassuming boy, who lives on a farm with his family. His father doubts Tommy's potential, but his uncle Robert, a former sailor, sees promise in him. Uncle Robert becomes Tommy's mentor, teaching him about nature and storytelling. Tommy is captivated by tales of adventure and dreams of becoming a sailor. The narrative shifts to Captain Herbert, a friend of Uncle Robert, who is haunted by the loss of his son Bernard during a shipwreck. Tommy, inspired by his uncle's stories and Captain Herbert's plight, embarks on a journey to find Bernard, believed to be held by the Jivaro Indians in Ecuador. Tommy's expedition is fraught with challenges, including navigating treacherous landscapes, encountering hostile tribes, and surviving natural disasters. Along the way, he is guided by Samaro, an experienced and enigmatic Indian, and accompanied by a loyal cat named Black Tom. As Tommy ventures deeper into the wilds, he learns of Bernard's fate from a dying ayah, who reveals that Bernard became a chief among the Zaparos but was later captured by Spaniards. Determined to rescue Bernard, Tommy continues his quest, facing dangers and relying on his wits and the support of his companions. The story explores themes of adventure, courage, and the bond between mentor and mentee, as Tommy grows from a dreamy boy into a determined young man on a mission to reunite a father with his lost son.

By Gordon Stables · First published 1919 · Genre: Adventure, Thriller, Mystery · 20 chapters · 58,771 words

First lines

Tommy Talisker was probably one of the most unassuming boys that ever lived. At all events everybody said so. And this is equivalent to stating that the boy's general behaviour gave him a character for modesty.

He was the youngest of a family of five; the eldest being his only sister, and she, like her mother, made a good deal of Tommy, and thought a good deal about him too in certain ways.

• Open reader

What this Textopian page supports

The Hermit Hunter of the Wilds is listed on Textopian as a novel by Gordon Stables, dated 1919 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

• Work type: Novel
• Author: Gordon Stables
• Date: 1919 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Adventure, Thriller, Mystery, Survival, Western
• Length: 58,771 words
• Structure: 20 chapters, 1,230 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for The Hermit Hunter of the Wilds by Gordon Stables
• Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
• Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
• Readability and classroom-planning context
• Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Genres

• Adventure — The title suggests a journey through untamed landscapes filled with bold exploits and exploration.
• Thriller — The pursuit of a reclusive hermit hints at tension and suspense inherent in the narrative.
• Mystery — The enigmatic subject and his hidden life invite intrigue and the uncovering of secrets.
• Survival — The setting in the wilds implies challenges against nature and the struggle for endurance.

Tags

adventure · wilderness · solitude · mystery · exploration · survival · quest · resilience · nature · independence · legacy · folklore

Contents

• By the Firelight
• "it was on just such a Night as this, Sister."
• "the Fearfulness of our Situation can Hardly be Realized."
• Among the Woods of Craigielea
• "the Whole World is Full of Changes."
• "Run, Run! " Cried Tom; "the Man Must not Die Yet!"
• "here Hangs his Brother's Scalp."
• "Never before had Tom Experienced such a Feeling of Awful Danger."
• "the Whole Sea of Mist Turned to Clouds of Mingled Gold and Crimson."
• "in the Forests Strange Shrieks and Sounds were Heard."
• "the Trees Went down before it Like Hay before the Mower's Scythe."
• "a Shower of Poisoned Darts Fell Pattering on the Stockade."
• The Dying Ayah Tells of Bernard
• "Filled with Gold Doubloons -- Sirr, are Ye Listening?"
• "Next Instant the Ship was Struck and Staved."
• "a Vast Green and Flowery Valley Surrounded by Romantic Hills."
• Strange Life on the Beautiful Island
• "he was Convinced now he had Seen a Spectre and Nothing Else."
• "under the Grave you Dug are Gold and Precious Stones."
• "o, Bernard, it is your Father's Ship! ."

More by Gordon Stables

• The Pirate's Gold (1891)
• In the Great White Land (1888)
• A Little Gipsy Lass (1908)
• From Ploughshare to Pulpit (1884)
• The Pearl Divers and Crusoes of the Sargasso Sea (1912)
• Two Sailor Lads (1881)
• All works by Gordon Stables