The Cruise of the Dazzler

The Cruise of the Dazzler

The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Cruise of the Dazzler, by Jack
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Title: The Cruise of the Dazzler
Author: Jack London
Release Date: February 12, 2004 [EBook #11051]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
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CRUISE OF THE DAZZLER ***

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THE CRUISE OF THE DAZZLER
by
JACK LONDON
1902

FOREWORD
Tempting boys to be what they should be--giving them in wholesome
form what they want--that is the purpose and power of Scouting. To
help parents and leaders of youth secure books boys like best that are
also best for boys, the Boy Scouts of America organized EVERY
BOY'S LIBRARY. The books included, formerly sold at prices ranging
from $1.50 to $2.00 but, by special arrangement with the several
publishers interested, are now sold in the EVERY BOY'S LIBRARY
Edition at $1.00 per volume.
The books of EVERY BOY'S LIBRARY were selected by the Library
Commission of the Boy Scouts of America, consisting of George F.
Bowerman, Librarian, Public Library of the District of Columbia;
Harrison W. Craver, Director, Engineering Societies Library, New
York City; Claude G. Leland, Superintendent, Bureau of Libraries,
Board of Education, New York City; Edward F. Stevens, Librarian,
Pratt Institute Free Library, Brooklyn, N.Y., and Franklin K. Mathiews,
Chief Scout Librarian. Only such books were chosen by the
Commission as proved to be, by a nation wide canvas, most in demand
by the boys themselves. Their popularity is further attested by the fact
that in the EVERY BOY'S LIBRARY Edition, more than a million and
a quarter copies of these books have already been sold.
We know so well, are reminded so often of the worth of the good book
and great, that too often we fail to observe or understand the influence
for good of a boy's recreational reading. Such books may influence him
for good or ill as profoundly as his play activities, of which they are a
vital part. The needful thing is to find stories in which the heroes have
the characteristics boys so much admire--unquenchable courage,
immense resourcefulness, absolute fidelity, conspicuous greatness. We
believe the books of EVERY BOY'S LIBRARY measurably well meet
this challenge.
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA,

James E. West
Chief Scout Executive.

CONTENTS
I BROTHER AND SISTER
II "THE DRACONIAN REFORMS"
III "BRICK," "SORREL-TOP," AND "REDDY"
IV THE BITER BITTEN
V HOME AGAIN
VI EXAMINATION DAY
VII FATHER AND SON
VIII 'FRISCO KID AND THE NEW BOY
IX ABOARD THE DAZZLER
X WITH THE BAY PIRATES
XI CAPTAIN AND CREW
XII JOE TRIES TO TAKE FRENCH LEAVE
XIII BEFRIENDING EACH OTHER
XIV AMONG THE OYSTER-BEDS
XV GOOD SAILORS IN A WILD ANCHORAGE
XVI 'FRISCO KID'S DITTY-BOX

XVII 'FRISCO KID TELLS HIS STORY
XVIII A NEW RESPONSIBILITY FOR JOE
XIX THE BOYS PLAN AN ESCAPE
XX PERILOUS HOURS
XXI JOE AND HIS FATHER


CHAPTER I
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PART I
CHAPTER I
BROTHER AND SISTER
They ran across the shining sand, the Pacific thundering its long surge
at their backs, and when they gained the roadway leaped upon bicycles
and dived at faster pace into the green avenues of the park. There were
three of them, three boys, in as many bright-colored sweaters, and they
"scorched" along the cycle-path as dangerously near the speed-limit as
is the custom of boys in bright-colored sweaters to go. They may have
exceeded the speed-limit. A mounted park policeman thought so, but
was not sure, and contented himself with cautioning them as they
flashed by. They acknowledged the warning promptly, and on the next
turn of the path as promptly forgot it, which is also a custom of boys in
bright-colored sweaters.
Shooting out through the entrance to Golden Gate Park, they turned
into San Francisco, and took the long sweep of the descending hills at a

rate that caused pedestrians to turn and watch them anxiously. Through
the city streets the bright sweaters flew, turning and twisting to escape
climbing the steeper hills, and, when the steep hills were unavoidable,
doing stunts to see which would first gain the top.
The boy who more often hit up the pace, led the scorching, and
instituted the stunts was called Joe by his companions. It was "follow
the leader," and he led, the merriest and boldest in the bunch. But as
they pedaled into the Western Addition, among the large and
comfortable residences, his laughter became less loud and frequent, and
he unconsciously lagged in the rear. At Laguna and