Devon Boys

School holidays bring Sep Duncan and his friends back to the steep paths and rocky inlets of North Devon. His father has bought Slatey Gap, a rugged stretch of coast that the neighbours consider a poor investment. For Sep, it offers familiar ground to explore with argumentative Bob Chowne and easygoing Bigley Uggleston. Looking back on their boyhood in the eighteenth century, Sep recalls their teasing, disagreements and shared excitement in a landscape of cliffs, seabirds and fishing boats.

George Manville Fenn's adventure novel for young readers puts friendship beside the hazards of the shore. In one episode, the boys recover aboard a French skipper's vessel after a frightening experience in an open boat. Their relief brings fresh banter, while Bigley questions why the French and English should fight. The contrast between boastful talk and admitted fear gives the companions distinct voices, making the book appealing for its coastal setting and its observations of youthful pride and loyalty.