The Cruise of the Dazzler facts for kids
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| Author | Jack London |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Adventure novel |
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Publication date
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1902 |
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The Cruise of the Dazzler is an exciting adventure novel written by Jack London. It was published in 1902. The story takes place in San Francisco, a city Jack London knew very well. Many people think of it as a great adventure story for young people.
The book tells the story of Joe Bronson, a boy who is bored with his regular school life. He decides to run away from home and join the crew of a sloop, which is a type of sailing boat, that he sees in San Francisco Bay. Joe soon discovers that the captain of the boat is involved in some activities that are not quite right. The book does a great job of describing what it's like to sail a boat and how boats handle big storms at sea.
Contents
About the Story
Jack London's Real Life
Jack London wrote about his own experiences in a book called John Barleycorn. He shared how, when he was young, he bought a sloop called the Razzle Dazzle. He bought it from someone known as an oyster pirate, named French Frank. Oyster pirates were people who illegally collected oysters.
In The Cruise of the Dazzler, the captain of the boat is called French Pete. Just like French Frank, French Pete likes to drink to celebrate his business deals. Jack London himself even spent some time as an oyster pirate. This real-life experience helped him write such a realistic story.
Joe's Big Adventure
Joe Leaves Home
The story begins with Joe Bronson. Instead of studying for a school test, Joe goes to buy kites with his friends. On their way back, they get into fights with other kids in a poorer part of the city. The next day, Joe fails his exam. He walks out of school and takes a ferry boat across the bay to Oakland. As he looks at the boats at the dock, he dreams of an exciting life on the water.
Joe's father is a businessman. He is usually quite understanding with his son. However, he is not happy about Joe's recent behavior and his bad school report. His father tells Joe that he might send him to a military school. Later, Joe leaves a goodbye note for his family. He goes back to Oakland and joins the crew of a sloop called the Dazzler. The captain, Pete Le Maire, is known as "French Pete." The only other person on the boat is 'Frisco Kid, who is about Joe's age.
Life on the Sea
Joe quickly realizes that French Pete is involved in illegal activities. First, they try to take metal from a factory. But they have to stop when shots are fired. After that, they start working as oyster pirates. This means they illegally collect oysters from the bay.
Joe doesn't want to be part of these illegal acts. He tries to escape several times, but he is always stopped. French Pete doesn't seem to mind that Joe thinks he's a lawbreaker. 'Frisco Kid tells Joe that he hates his life at sea. He explains that he has no family. He once worked for someone named Red Nelson on another sloop, the Reindeer, but he ran away. He was later caught for wandering without a home. He was sent to a place for boys, but it was very difficult there. He escaped from that place and joined French Pete. Joe then decides that he will leave and take 'Frisco Kid with him.
The Storm and the Safe
One day, French Pete and his friend Red Nelson steal a safe. Joe sees that the safe belongs to his own father's company. The Dazzler and the Reindeer sail out into the Pacific Ocean. For a while, they are chased by a fancy yacht. French Pete and Red Nelson plan to sail all the way to Mexico.
Soon, a big storm hits. The Dazzler's mast, which holds the sails, breaks. The Reindeer gets close enough for French Pete to jump onto it. But before Joe and 'Frisco Kid can follow, the Reindeer disappears under the huge waves.
Back Home
The Dazzler drifts until it reaches the shore near Santa Cruz. It lands near a small dock on the lower San Lorenzo River. Joe then goes to his father's office. His father acts as if nothing unusual has happened. It's as if Joe had just come back from a short trip.
After Joe tells his father the whole story, his father says that the reward for finding the safe, which is $5000, will be shared. 'Frisco Kid's half of the money will be saved for him for his future.
