Little Bobtail

In Short

Set along the rugged coast of Penobscot Bay, Maine, this nineteenth-century story follows young Robert Taylor, known to everyone as "Little Bobtail." After rescuing an abandoned yacht and securing it as his own, Robert finds himself entangled in a town scandal involving a stolen five-hundred-dollar bill, illegal smuggling operations, and his violent, alcoholic stepfather. Armed with strict integrity and the help of a loyal friend, Robert faces false accusations to clear his mother's name. The book endures for its vivid nautical settings, crisp seaside action, and clear-eyed, unsentimental portrait of a boy choosing honor over expediency.

The Story

The narrative opens sixteen years in the past with a secret marriage between Edward Montague and Sara Medway. Facing the disapproval of his wealthy father, Edward leaves for New Orleans with his friend Tom Barkesdale, intending to send back-dated letters to hide his true whereabouts. Sara, left behind, later dies, leaving behind a child whose exact lineage remains a mystery to the broader community. Years later, in the Maine coastal town of Camden, young Robert "Little Bobtail" Taylor lives with his mother, Mrs. Taylor, and his abusive, drunken stepfather, Ezekiel. Robert is a hard-working, courageous youth with a deep love for the sea. One day, he finds an abandoned, luxurious yacht drifting adrift near Blank Island. He secures the vessel—named the Skylark—and brings her to shore, hoping to earn a honest living taking out summer tourists and charter parties.

Trouble arises when a local five-hundred-dollar bank bill goes missing from a letter handled at a law office. Local suspicion falls upon Captain Chinks, a shifty, scheming character involved in various trades and suspected of smuggling contraband into the state. However, Captain Chinks slyly manipulates events so that suspicion shifts entirely onto Robert and Mrs. Taylor after the mother uses the exact same five-hundred-dollar bill to pay off the mortgage on their home. Refusing to betray how she obtained the money or implicate others, Mrs. Taylor is threatened with arrest, while Ezekiel refuses to offer bail or support his family.

Determined to save his mother and establish the truth, Robert joins forces with a deputy sheriff, Mr. Brooks, and a custom-house officer, Mr. Hines. They track Captain Chinks down the coast to Bar Harbor, where the captain has fled aboard his boat, the Eagle. Following a tense, high-stakes nautical chase through the islands of Frenchman's Bay, Robert uses his superior seamanship to help corner and capture Chinks. Cornered by the law, Captain Chinks confesses that he mistakenly opened the letter containing the money, stole the bill, and used it to purchase a boat before trying to frame the boy.

With Chinks brought to justice for theft and smuggling, the mystery of the money is solved. The wealthy Colonel Montague arrives to verify Mrs. Taylor's character and clear her completely, revealing that he had privately provided the money to support her. Robert is formally recognized as Robert Barkesdale Montague, claiming his true family heritage and a prosperous future, having proven his absolute devotion to truth and duty.

How It Unfolds

A boat adrift Robert discovers the ownerless yacht Skylark floating near Blank Island, saves her from crashing onto the rocks, and brings her to port to start a charter sailing business.

Trouble at home Protecting his mother from Ezekiel's drunken fury, Robert destroys his stepfather's hidden rum jug, accepting the man's wrath to keep his mother safe from harm.

A daring rescue While taking a wealthy party on an excursion, Robert dives off a high cliff at Blank Island to save young Grace Montague from drowning after she slips off the precipice.

The missing money A legal letter containing a five-hundred-dollar bill vanishes, and suspicion falls upon Robert and his mother when she uses the identical bill to clear her home's mortgage.

The chase at sea Determined to uncover the real culprit, Robert sails with local authorities to Bar Harbor, chasing the scheming Captain Chinks across the island-studded waters of Frenchman's Bay.

Exoneration and identity After Captain Chinks is captured and confesses to the theft, Colonel Montague intervenes to clear Mrs. Taylor, revealing Robert's true birthright and restored family name.

The People

• Robert Taylor ("Little Bobtail") wants to earn an honest living on the sea, protect his mother, and maintain his personal integrity. Confronted by false criminal charges and his stepfather's abuse, he stands his ground through brave seamanship and unyielding honesty, eventually uncovering his true family origin as Robert Barkesdale Montague.

• Mrs. Taylor wants to keep her household together and protect a family secret without resorting to lies. Burdened by an abusive husband and the public shame of criminal accusations, her quiet steadfastness keeps her loyal to her son until her name is cleared.

• Ezekiel Taylor wants money for liquor and complete control over his household. Driven by drunkenness, he threatens his family, refuses to post bail for his wife, and acts as a constant obstacle to Robert's efforts to earn an honest living.

• Captain Chinks wants to enrich himself through opportunistic schemes, horse-trading, and illegal smuggling. Facing exposure for mail theft, he attempts to frame Robert and flee, but his cunning plans fall apart during a high-speed boat pursuit.

• Peter Monk ("Monkey") wants companionship and relief from the town's ridicule. Despite being mocked for his strange appearance, his fierce loyalty to Robert makes him a reliable deckhand and lifelong friend.

In Its Own Voice

"I haven't seen it, and didn't know you had any jug," replied Mrs. Taylor.

Facing her husband's angry accusations after the hidden rum jug disappears, Mrs. Taylor calmly denies knowing where it went to prevent a violent outburst.

"I'm looking out for her till somebody comes who has a better right to do so."

When his friend Monkey boards the newly found yacht and asks who owns her, Robert makes his honest intentions clear from the start.

"If you lose her before I return, write a letter to me at Belfast, and it will be forwarded if I have gone."

Gratified by Robert's heroics in saving his daughter from the ocean, Colonel Montague offers the young skipper his unconditional backing and friendship.

What It's Really About

Beneath its seaside adventure, the story investigates the nature of moral duty and individual accountability. It contrasts the deceptive, short-sighted dishonesty of Captain Chinks with Robert's uncompromising truthfulness. The plot grapples with questions of social reputation: how easily an innocent person can be condemned by circumstantial evidence, and how true character is revealed through actions rather than wealth or status. It also addresses the ethics of civic law, highlighting Robert's growing understanding that laws against smuggling exist to protect the community, and that compromise on small moral points inevitably leads to greater dishonor.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate classic maritime adventures, historic New England settings, and straightforward moral coming-of-age tales will enjoy this book. The narrative moves at a lively pace, filled with the salty atmosphere of nineteenth-century Maine, crisp details of handling small boats, and satisfying detective work on the open water.

Modern readers should be prepared for period-specific elements, including occasional local vernacular, straightforward instructional commentary typical of nineteenth-century juvenile fiction, and deliberate pacing during legal discussions. The portrayal of Peter Monk reflects older, unvarnished period tropes regarding physical differences and poverty. However, the story remains remarkably engaging because its core conflict relies on tension, practical problem-solving, and a hero who relies on hard work and courage rather than good luck alone. What stays with you is the crisp sea air, the exciting tactical boat chases among the islands, and the reassuring victory of quiet integrity over petty corruption.