The Last Chance by Rolf Boldrewood

Name: The Last Chance
Author: Rolf Boldrewood

In a gold mining town in New South Wales, Arnold Banneret, a Commissioner of Goldfields and Police Magistrate, faces financial difficulties while managing a large family. After a long day of work, he encounters Jack Waters, a miner who has returned from a grueling journey with valuable quartz specimens. Jack proposes a partnership, offering Banneret a half share in a promising mining claim if he can secure a loan of five hundred pounds. Banneret, despite his reservations, agrees, seeing it as a last chance for financial stability. As they embark on their venture, Banneret's wife, Marcia, supports his decision, though she expresses concern about the risks involved. The couple's relationship is characterized by mutual respect and shared aspirations for their children's future. Banneret's investment in the mine proves fruitful, leading to significant wealth and the potential for a better life for his family. However, the journey is fraught with challenges. Banneret contracts typhoid fever while overseeing the mine, leading to a near-fatal illness. Marcia, alarmed by his condition, travels to be by his side, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to him and their family. With the help of Nurse Lilburne, who cares for Banneret during his recovery, he eventually regains his health. As the mine flourishes, the couple contemplates their future, including the education of their children and the possibility of returning to England. They navigate the complexities of newfound wealth, societal expectations, and the responsibilities that come with it. The narrative explores themes of ambition, family loyalty, and the unpredictability of fortune, ultimately highlighting the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The story culminates in a reflection on the nature of success and the importance of relationships, as the Bannerets adapt to their changing circumstances while remaining grounded in their values and commitment to one another.

By Rolf Boldrewood · First published 1890 · Genre: Adventure, Historical Fiction, Drama · 20 chapters · 136,395 words

First lines

As a Commissioner of Goldfields, and Police Magistrate, in New South Wales, it is hardly necessary to say that Arnold Banneret's pay was not conspicuously in advance of the necessaries of life. Necessaries which may be thus catalogued: a couple of decent ride-and-drive horses, a light, much-enduring buggy, clothes and books, boots and shoes, bread and butter, for half-a-dozen growing boys and girls-with an occasional trip to the seaside, and a regularly recurring doctor's bill; while the Rev. Mr. Wilson's quarterly accounts for the eldest boy's board and tuition had also a knack of turning up inconveniently soon, as it appeared to paterfamilias, after his departure to school.

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The Last Chance is listed on Textopian as a novel by Rolf Boldrewood, dated 1890 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Rolf Boldrewood
Date: 1890 CE
Language: English
Genres: Adventure, Historical Fiction, Drama, Western, Romance
Length: 136,395 words
Structure: 20 chapters, 1,467 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Genres

Adventure — The plot involves exploration and challenges faced by characters in a dynamic setting.
Historical Fiction — The narrative is set against a backdrop of historical events and reflects the social context of the time.
Drama — The themes explore human emotions, relationships, and moral dilemmas.
Western — The story features elements typical of Westerns, such as rugged landscapes and conflicts between settlers and outlaws.