Mayne Reid

The Boy Tar Mayne Reid

"[...]been my history. There are those in the village, however, who are better acquainted with some chapters from the story of my life-passages of it which they have heard from my own lips, for I am never disinclined to relate to those who may be worthy of hearing it any interesting adventure through which I may have passed; and even in our quiet village I have found an audience that merits the narrator. Schoolboys have been my listeners; for there is a famous school near the village-an "establishment for young gentlemen" it is styled-and it is from this I draw my most attentive auditory. These boys and I used to meet in our rambles along the shore, and [...]."