Mcalister by Sabine Baring-Gould
The narrative unfolds in Bayonne, a city with rich historical ties to England, particularly during the Peninsular War. The protagonist, while exploring the city, encounters a neglected cemetery where English officers from the war are buried. As he reflects on the past, he meets the ghost of Captain Alister McAlister, who reveals that he was cut in half by chain-shot during the conflict. His upper body remains in Bayonne, while his legs were mistakenly sent to Scotland and buried as those of Captain Timothy O'Hooligan. McAlister, a spirited and humorous character, explains the mix-up that led to this bizarre situation. He recounts how his father had requested that his remains be sent back to Scotland for burial, but due to a series of errors involving Irish soldiers, his trunk and O'Hooligan's legs were swapped. The captain expresses his desire to have his remains returned to Auchimachie, his family estate, and insists that the tombstone in Bayonne be corrected to reflect the truth of his burial. The protagonist promises to help McAlister, leading to a journey to Scotland where he meets McAlister's great-nephew, Fergus. Fergus is initially cordial but reveals the complexities and potential costs involved in exhuming McAlister's remains. He is hesitant to take action, citing financial constraints and the challenges of dealing with the authorities in Bayonne. The protagonist suggests a straightforward approach to clarify the mix-up, but Fergus remains reluctant, prioritizing his family's current financial situation over the honor of correcting the historical record. The story blends humor with themes of identity, legacy, and the absurdities of life and death, ultimately leaving the resolution of McAlister's plight uncertain. The narrative captures the essence of human folly and the enduring connections between past and present, as well as the complexities of familial duty and honor.
By Sabine Baring-Gould · First published 1894 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Comedy · 5,464 words
First lines
The city of Bayonne, lying on the left bank of the Adour, and serving as its port, is one that ought to present much interest to the British tourist, on account of its associations. For three hundred years, along with Bordeaux, it belonged to the English crown. The cathedral, a noble structure of the fourteenth century, was reared by the English, and on the bosses of its vaulting are carved the arms of England, of the Talbots, and of other great English noble families. It was probably designed by English architects, for it possesses, in its vaulting, the long central rib so characteristic of English architecture, and wholly unlike what was the prevailing French fashion of vaulting in compartments, and always without that connecting rib, like the inverted keel of a ship, with which we are acquainted in our English minsters. Under some of the modern houses in the town are cellars of far earlier construction, also vaulted, and in them as well may be seen the arms of the English noble families which had their dwellings above.
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Mcalister is listed on Textopian as a short story by Sabine Baring-Gould, dated 1894 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Sabine Baring-Gould
- Date: 1894 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Comedy, Adventure, Literary Fiction
- Length: 5,464 words
- Structure: 1 section, 95 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for Mcalister by Sabine Baring-Gould
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set against the backdrop of historical events, specifically the Peninsular War, and explores themes of identity and legacy.
- Fantasy — The character of Captain McAlister, who is a disembodied spirit, introduces elements of the fantastical and supernatural.
- Comedy — The humorous interactions between the protagonist and Captain McAlister, along with the absurdity of the situation, contribute to a comedic tone.
- Adventure — The protagonist's journey to uncover the truth about Captain McAlister's remains involves elements of exploration and discovery.
Tags
mystery · adventure · historical · fiction · suspense · drama · romance · Scottish · family · betrayal · identity · secrets