THE HISTORY OF THIS BOOK
In a vine-covered piazza of the sunny South, a company of boys and girlsused to gather round me, of a summer evening, to hear the varied storyof my early years. As these boys and girls grew larger, I found itnecessary to change my plan of instruction. There were many _facts innature_ which I wished to communicate, and many _expedients_ inpractical life, which I supposed might be useful. To give thisinformation, in such shape as to insure its being remembered, required astory. The result has been a book; and that book is "The YoungMarooners"--or, as my young folks call it, "Robert and Harold."
Their interest in the story has steadily increased from the beginning tothe end; and sure am I, that if it excites one-half as much abroad, asit has excited at home, no author need ask for more.
The story, however, is not all a story; the fiction consists mostly inthe putting together. With very few exceptions, the incidents are realoccurrences; and whoever will visit the regions described, will see thatthe pictures correspond to nature. Possibly also, the visitor may meeteven now, with a fearless Harold, an intelligent Robert, a womanly Mary,and a merry Frank.
Should my young readers ever go _marooning_, I trust their party maymeet with fewer misfortunes and as happy a termination.
F. R. G.