Up the River by Oliver Optic (1868)
The narrative follows the adventures of a young captain, Alick Garningham, who owns a steamer named Sylvania. The story begins with Alick and his cousin Owen Garningham discussing their plans to travel up the Mississippi River after returning to Jacksonville from Florida. Alick's father, Sir Bent Garningham, has canceled a charter agreement with Owen, leading to tension between the cousins. Alick decides to proceed with the trip, inviting the Shepards and Tiffanys to join them. As they prepare to sail, Alick reflects on past conspiracies involving his family, particularly a plot against him orchestrated by his cousin Owen and a man named Captain Boomsby. Alick's father, who has been absent, returns just in time to save him from danger. The narrative reveals that Alick's father is not dead, as he had been led to believe. The story takes a turn when Alick encounters a robbery involving a bank messenger, which leads to the discovery of a plot involving Nick Boomsby, Captain Boomsby's son. Nick is suspected of stealing a package of money, and Alick's suspicions grow as he learns of Nick's connection to the Islander, another steamer. As the Sylvania sets sail, Alick and his crew face various challenges, including a storm that forces them to seek shelter. They rescue the crew of a wrecked bark, the Olive, and learn more about the mysterious actions of the Islander and its captain, Blastblow. Tensions rise as Alick suspects that Nick and Cornwood, a conspirator, are involved in a scheme to run away with the Islander. The narrative culminates in a race against time as Alick and his crew attempt to catch up with the Islander. They navigate the treacherous waters of the Mississippi, facing obstacles and uncovering the truth behind the conspiracy. Ultimately, Alick's determination to reclaim his family's honor and protect his passengers drives the story forward, leading to a confrontation with the Islander and its crew. Throughout the tale, themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the quest for justice are explored, as Alick grapples with the complexities of family ties and the consequences of deception. The story concludes with Alick's resolve to confront the challenges ahead, determined to uncover the truth and restore order to his life.
By Oliver Optic · First published 1868 · Genre: Adventure, Young Adult, Fiction · 30 chapters · 79,994 words
First lines
"I don't think it's quite the thing, Alick," said my cousin, Owen Garningham, as we were walking through Bay Street after our return to Jacksonville from the interior of Florida.
"What is not quite the thing, Owen? " I inquired, for he had given me no clue to what he was thinking about.
What this Textopian page supports
Up the River is listed on Textopian as a novel by Oliver Optic, dated 1868 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Oliver Optic
- Date: 1868 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Young Adult, Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Historical
- Length: 79,994 words
- Structure: 30 chapters, 1,609 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Up the River by Oliver Optic
- 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
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Up the River?
- How does this novel by Oliver Optic fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Adventure first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Make Or Break by Oliver Optic
- All Taut by Oliver Optic
- Hope And Have by Oliver Optic
- On Time by Oliver Optic
- Our Standard Bearer by Oliver Optic
- Living Too Fast by Oliver Optic
Genres
- Adventure — The plot centers around a journey and exploration, typical of adventure narratives.
- Young Adult — The themes and characters are geared towards a younger audience, focusing on growth and discovery.
- Fiction — The story is a work of fiction, presenting imaginative scenarios and characters.
- Coming-of-Age — The narrative includes themes of personal growth and maturation, common in coming-of-age stories.
Tags
Coming-of-age · Adventure · Friendship · Juvenile Fiction · Classic Literature · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · Young Adult · Male Protagonist · Education · Personal Growth · Social Class
Contents
- In Captain Boomsby's Saloon
- Four Thousand Dollars
- Adieu to the Boomsbys
- Nick Boomsby has Aspirations
- The Strange Movement of the Islander
- A Lively Chase
- A Fog off the Florida Coast
- A Port in a Storm
- A Visit from an Old Acquaintance
- Intelligence of the Islander
- Difficult Navigation
- The Calamity on French Reef
- A Night Lost in the Storm
- Looking for the Islander
- A Partial Solution of the Mystery
- Across the Gulf of Mexico
- The Sylvania in Ambush
- How Nick Boomsby Managed his Case
- A Search for the Lost Treasure
- The Theory and the Facts
- Up the Mississippi
- The Islander in a Bad Fix
- An Embarrassing Situation
- A Crevasse on the Mississippi
- Sailing Across the Fields
- A Desperate Struggle with the Rushing Waters
- The Planter and his Family
- A Distinguished Passenger
- Up the River for Many Days
- Up Another River and Home again