Black Bartlemy's Treasure  ‡

UK Publisher: Sampson Low, Marston and Co. Ltd. (London). First published 1920

eBook at Project Gutenberg

eBook at unz.org

BBC Radio broadcast of Black Bartlemy's Treasure (N. B. Large file of 83.5MB: download takes some time - please be patient!)

Mr. Farnol brings back the pirate days of the Spanish Main in this stirring book and not since "The Broad Highway" and "The Amateur Gentleman" has he created such a company of picturesque characters. It is a full-blooded, wholesome novel that captivates the reader.

Martin Conisby, Lord Wendover, embittered by his five years of slavery on the Spanish galleon Esmeralda, escapes during a sea fight to an English ship and makes his way back to England, determined to avenge himself on Richard Brandon, who was the cause of his father's death and his own ill-treatment. Broken in body and spirit, he arrives home one night disguised as a tramp, just in time to save from the hands of robbers a beautiful girl, Lady Jane Brandon, the daughter of the man whom he has sworn to punish. In a tavern he meets a pal, Adam Penfeather, who unfolds to him the story of Black Bartlemy, an infamous pirate, and his treasure buried on an island-- treasure of fabuous value that has been the dream and hope of roving adventurers along the Spanish Main for many years.

The engrossed reader will eagerly follow the adventures of the treasure seekers who set sail on the good ship Faithful Friend and the unique experiences of Martin and the fair Lady Jane - whose family the hero hated - as they found themselves alone on the island which contained the buried treasure. He will encounter some rogues as bloodthirsty as any pirates who ever sailed the Seven Seas, and discover love episodes that stir the emotions. Mr. Farnol has never made a wider appeal than in this, his first sea story.