The Brass Gun of the Buccaneers

Name: The Brass Gun of the Buccaneers
Author: Louis Becke

A trader named Challoner resides in Jakoits Harbour on Ponape, surrounded by a community of unscrupulous beachcombers and criminals. Unlike his neighbors, he avoids violence and conflict, focusing instead on his trading business. Among the beachcombers is Larmer, a brutal man known for his violent past and disregard for life. Larmer's presence brings chaos to the island, and he quickly aligns himself with a local chief, leading to a massacre of a neighboring island's inhabitants. Challoner discovers an ancient brass cannon in the ruins of a former buccaneer depot and refuses to sell it to Larmer, who desires it for his violent pursuits. Tensions rise as Larmer threatens Challoner, who remains resolute in his refusal to engage in violence. After a period of relative calm, Larmer and his allies attempt to steal the cannon while Challoner is away. Tiaru, Challoner's wife, bravely confronts them, but in the ensuing struggle, she is shot by Larmer while trying to protect the gun. Challoner, upon returning to find his home burned and his wife dead, vows to seek revenge. He and a group of natives pursue Larmer into the jungle, determined to capture him. After a relentless chase, they finally corner Larmer, who is weakened and captured. Challoner, seeking justice for Tiaru's murder, binds Larmer to the cannon and orchestrates his execution. The story culminates in a dramatic moment as Challoner avenges his wife's death, firing the cannon and ensuring Larmer pays for his crimes.

By Louis Becke · First published 1881 · Genre: Adventure, Historical Fiction, Drama · 3,059 words

First lines

Challoner was a trader at Jakoits Harbour in Ponape, one of the loveliest of the great Caroline Archipelago in the North Pacific. He was a quiet but determined-looking man of fifty, and at the time of this story had been living on Ponape for over five years. Unlike the generality of the white men who were settled on the island, he never carried arms and never entered into any of the disputes that too often occurred among them and ended in bloodshed.

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The Brass Gun of the Buccaneers is listed on Textopian as a novel by Louis Becke, dated 1881 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Louis Becke
Date: 1881 CE
Language: English
Genres: Adventure, Historical Fiction, Drama, Thriller, Literary Fiction
Length: 3,059 words
Structure: 1 section, 51 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Adventure — The plot revolves around a trader's confrontation with a violent beachcomber, featuring themes of survival, conflict, and exploration in a remote setting.
Historical Fiction — The story is set in the historical context of the Pacific Islands and references the legacy of buccaneers, incorporating elements of history into the narrative.
Drama — The emotional weight of personal loss, revenge, and moral dilemmas drives the character interactions and conflicts.
Thriller — The tension between Challoner and Larmer, along with the violent confrontations, creates a suspenseful atmosphere.