Cat O'Nine Tails (novel) facts for kids
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First edition
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| Author | Julia Golding |
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| Series | Cat Royal |
| Genre | Young Adult fiction |
| Publisher | Egmont Books Ltd |
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Publication date
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2007 |
| Pages | 400 |
| ISBN | 1-59643-445-7 |
| Preceded by | Den of Thieves |
| Followed by | Black Heart of Jamaica |
Cat O'Nine Tails is an exciting adventure book. It's the fourth book in the "Cat Royal" series by Julia Golding. In this story, Cat, the main character, goes on a wild journey. She dances at a fancy ball, pretends to be a boy, and even meets an Indian tribe!
Contents
About Cat O'Nine Tails
Cat's New Life and a Tricky Ball
After her last adventure in Den of Thieves, Cat is living happily with Frank and Lizzie. Their peaceful life changes when Frank's cousin, Mr. Dixon, arrives. He seems very kind. Mr. Dixon suggests they all go to a grand ball, even though Cat isn't from a noble family.
Cat gets a beautiful dress for the event. But the ball doesn't go as planned. Frank seems shy and doesn't ask her to dance. Then, a boy named Billy kisses her without her permission. Frank and Mr. Dixon both see it. Cat feels very embarrassed and upset. They quickly leave the ball and go home.
Frank is initially upset with Cat for what happened. But they soon make up and go riding together. Later, they get worrying news: their friend Syd hasn't returned home. Concerned, they decide to search for him near the docks. While looking for a boat, they are suddenly attacked! A group of sailors, called a press gang, forces Frank, Pedro, and Cat onto a ship called HMS Courageous. Mr. Dixon is injured during the attack.
Life Aboard the Ship
On board the ship, a sailor named Maclean forces Cat to pretend to be a boy. He threatens her and makes her do many difficult chores. Meanwhile, Syd is also on board. He was tricked by his manager into joining the ship. Syd is furious that his friends have also been captured, but there's nothing he can do.
Cat asks Syd to fight her. She hopes this will make the other sailors respect her more. Syd refuses at first. However, the Captain pushes him into it. Cat keeps teasing Syd, desperate for him to hit her. Finally, Syd punches her after she says he's a bad kisser and Billy is better.
Syd feels really angry with himself for losing his temper. But he soon forgives himself after a heart-to-heart talk with Cat.
A New Friend and a Big Surprise
When the ship docks, Cat tries to run away. Maclean chases her. Luckily, an Indian tribe rescues Cat. She quickly becomes friends with a girl named Kanawha. The Indian chief banishes Maclean from their land. Cat settles in with the tribe, but deep down, she misses home.
Cat soon discovers a shocking secret. Mr. Dixon had faked his own injury! He did it to get Frank's money because he was broke. Cat is furious. She rides to Philadelphia, where a meeting is happening to discuss sending a search party for her.
At the meeting, Cat reveals Mr. Dixon's dishonest plan. Frank is very upset and disowns his cousin. Finally, Frank gathers enough courage to ask Cat to dance. Later, Lizzie gives birth to her and Johnny's first child. The baby girl is named Catherine Elizabeth Fitzroy, after Cat, and Cat becomes her god-daughter.
