The East Indian Cousin
Set in the early 19th century, the narrative begins with the mysterious disappearance of a ship named _Nourmahal_, which was believed to be carrying gifts from the Indian Government to the Sultans of Malacca, Johore, and Pahang. The ship's captain, John Channing, a respected and wealthy figure in the East India Company, vanishes along with his wife and daughter, Adela, during this ill-fated voyage. Meanwhile, in England, Channing's nephew, Francis, a lieutenant in the Marines, remains unaware of his uncle's fate and continues his service, hoping for promotion. As the story unfolds, Francis Channing serves aboard the frigate _Triton_, navigating the picturesque yet treacherous waters of the Moluccas. The ship encounters a violent storm, prompting the crew to seek refuge in a nearby harbor. Here, they learn of a white man and his wife living on a nearby island, survivors of a shipwreck involving a French privateer. The man, Armand Le Mescam, has been secretly recovering treasure from the sunken ship, aided by local villagers. During an excursion to the island, Francis meets Le Mescam and is introduced to his wife, who reveals her tragic past. Adela, the daughter of John Channing, is revealed to be trapped in a marriage against her will. When Francis learns of her plight, he confronts Le Mescam, leading to a violent altercation. In a moment of danger, Private Watts, a Marine, saves Francis by shooting Le Mescam, who dies from his injuries. With Le Mescam dead, Francis helps Adela escape, bringing her and her child back to the _Triton_. The captain learns of Adela's true identity as Francis's cousin, and plans are made to return to England. The narrative concludes with Francis and Adela falling in love and marrying, while Private Watts is honored for his bravery. The story intertwines themes of adventure, romance, and the complexities of familial ties against the backdrop of colonial maritime life.
By Louis Becke · First published 1887 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Romance · 6,899 words
First lines
Nearly eighty years ago, when the news of Napoleon's downfall at Waterloo had not yet reached England's colonies in the Far East, a country ship named the _Nourmahal_ sailed from Madras for the Island of Singapore. The object of her voyage was not known except, perhaps, to the leading officials of the Company's establishment at Madras; but it was generally believed that she carried certain presents from the Indian Government to the then Sultans of Malacca, Johore, and Pahang. Sir Stamford Raffles, it was known, had urged the occupation and fortification of Singapore as a matter of importance to England's supremacy in the Eastern seas. And, indeed, three years later he began the work himself.
What this Textopian page supports
The East Indian Cousin is listed on Textopian as a short story by Louis Becke, dated 1887 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Louis Becke
- Date: 1887 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Romance, Drama, Thriller
- Length: 6,899 words
- Structure: 1 section, 68 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The East Indian Cousin by Louis Becke
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The East Indian Cousin?
- How does this short story by Louis Becke fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set in a specific historical context, focusing on events related to the East India Company and colonial interactions in the 19th century.
- Adventure — The plot involves maritime voyages, shipwrecks, and encounters with pirates, embodying classic adventure elements.
- Romance — The story features a romantic subplot between Francis Channing and Adela, culminating in their eventual marriage.
- Drama — The characters experience intense emotional conflicts and moral dilemmas, particularly surrounding themes of loyalty and betrayal.
Tags
Adventure · Colonialism · Cousins · Family · Friendship · Identity · Imperialism · Love · Marriage · Nautical · Novel · Romance