A Desperate Chance

In Short

This narrative follows Desmond Dare, a virtuous farm boy who, to save his mother’s home, encounters a mysterious, educated, yet rum-dependent "wizard tramp" named Brooks. Their bond leads them from a New York farm to the rugged Rocky Mountains in search of a fabled gold mine. Along the way, they encounter outlaws, discover hidden wealth, and navigate the complexities of class and lineage. It is a story of personal growth and redemption, documenting a journey where a young man’s hard work and honesty ultimately secure his future and uncover surprising truths about his companion.

The Story

The arc begins with Desmond Dare, a hardworking youth on the verge of losing his family farm to foreclosure. Before he can enter a walking match to win the necessary money, he rescues a man named Brooks—the "wizard tramp"—from a group of thugs. Brooks, despite his degradation, recognizes Desmond's inherent nobility. After the youth secures his mother’s home, the two strike up an unlikely partnership and head West to find a gold mine. They are joined in their quest by Henry Creedon, a rugged woodsman who has spent fifteen years fruitlessly hunting for a specific lode.

The trio’s search takes them into a labyrinthine mountain environment, where they live in rock caverns and navigate dangerous, improvised bridges over chasms. Their life is defined by constant peril, including the threat of hostile raiders. During a period of exploration, Desmond’s persistence—the quality that defines his character—leads him to discover a secret chamber filled with gold dust, an accidental find that validates their long, arduous trek. However, the discovery also serves as a catalyst for a deeper shift. Brooks, realizing that Desmond’s future lies in education and stability rather than the rough life of a prospector, urges the young man to return East.

Desmond returns home, refined and confident. During his journey back, he crosses paths with a group of card sharps. Using the lessons Brooks taught him, Desmond outsmarts these predators, asserting his own competence and moral superiority. Back on the farm, he reunites with Amy, a young woman previously saved by Brooks and now under the care of Desmond’s mother. The final movement of the story sees the return of Brooks, who has successfully developed the mine with the help of capitalists. He reveals that the gold was merely the beginning of the transformation. Brooks discloses his true identity as the heir to an English noble title and confirms his long-standing hope that Desmond and Amy would marry. The story closes with the wedding of the two young people and the successful elevation of the entire group, proving that Desmond’s "desperate chance" was, in fact, a path to a life of honor, wealth, and lasting family connection.

How It Unfolds

The rescue and the pact Desmond saves Brooks from an assault, and in gratitude, the older man helps the boy win a walking match to save his mother's farm. They decide to form a partnership to seek their fortune in the West.

Survival in the Rockies The duo faces the harsh realities of mountain life, living in crevices and constantly watching for danger. They encounter Henry Creedon, a veteran prospector who joins their quest for gold.

The discovery in the cavern Desmond’s relentless exploration pays off when he finds a hidden cache of gold in a secret chamber. This success allows the men to secure the financial resources they have long craved.

The decision to depart Brooks recognizes that Desmond has a higher destiny as an educated man. He convinces the youth to abandon the wild life and return to the civilization of New York.

The train ride confrontation During his return journey, Desmond encounters card sharps who try to cheat him. He turns the tables on them, exposing their scheme and asserting his own growth into a man of the world.

The return and revelation Desmond reunites with Amy on the farm, where his success is fully realized. Brooks returns to reveal his noble heritage and bless the union of the two young people.

The People

Desmond Dare is the moral anchor of the story. He begins as a brave, impoverished farm boy and evolves into a refined young man of substance. His defining trait is a quiet, steady persistence that allows him to navigate both the physical dangers of the mountains and the social traps of the city.

Brooks is the "wizard tramp," a man of high education and nobility who has fallen into the habits of a wanderer. He serves as a mentor to Desmond, acting as a "good angel" despite his own past failures. His journey is one of redemption; he ultimately sheds his vagrant identity to reclaim his rightful place in the world.

Henry Creedon is the rough-hewn woodsman who provides the necessary field expertise for the search. His fifteen-year quest for gold reflects the theme of endurance. He is honest and loyal, serving as a foil to the dishonest gamblers Desmond later encounters.

Amy is the mystery that grounds the plot. Rescued by Brooks and raised on the Dare farm, she represents the stability and domestic happiness that drive both Desmond and Brooks. She is depicted as a person of rare talent and beauty, whose love for Desmond provides the emotional resolution to the tale.

In Its Own Voice

"Well, Desmond, we've taken a desperate chance, and so far appear to be losers."

This is the moment when the protagonist and his mentor realize their mountain search for gold has hit a wall of uncertainty.

"I've been carrying out your programme, amusing myself with a sneak thief, and now, Mr. Senator's Son, you have evidence that Yorkers do know a thing or two."

Desmond asserts his intellectual dominance over the card sharp who attempted to cheat him during the journey home.

"This time I took no desperate chance."

On his wedding night, Desmond looks back on his journey, acknowledging that his life has moved from risky uncertainty to a secure and happy future.

What It's Really About

The book explores the tension between "taking a chance" and the necessity of character. It argues that fortune is not merely the result of luck, but a reward for those who remain honest, persistent, and brave in the face of adversity. The narrative suggests that even those who have "thrown themselves away"—like the repentant tramp—can find purpose by nurturing the potential in others. There is also a strong underlying belief in the social mobility of the era; the story posits that a young man from the farm, if he possesses the right moral compass, is equal to any challenge, whether it is an untamed mountain or a den of urban thieves.

Why Read It Today

Readers interested in the evolution of the American adventure genre will find much to admire here. The prose is direct, earnest, and unadorned, reflecting the straightforward, action-oriented style of late-nineteenth-century serial fiction. It feels like a historical artifact—a window into a time when the world seemed vast, full of hidden caverns and opportunities for the "desperate" to find redemption.

However, modern readers should be prepared for the book's limitations. The dialogue is sometimes stilted, and the characterizations are clearly drawn from the melodramatic archetypes common to the period's penny dreadfuls. The plot relies heavily on massive, almost fairy-tale coincidences, and the social attitudes regarding class and "gentlemanly" behavior are firmly rooted in the Victorian era. Because the excerpts are sampled from a serialized work, the pacing can feel episodic, with sudden shifts from survival in the mountains to morality plays on a train. Despite these peculiarities, there is a warmth in the book’s unwavering optimism. If you enjoy stories where goodness is rewarded and the hero’s integrity is his greatest weapon, you will find this a charming and brisk read that remains satisfyingly sincere until the very last page.