The Adventures of Bobby Orde

Bobby Orde finds plenty to investigate in the sawmill town where he lives. His setter, Duke, accompanies him to his father's office, a place crowded with ledgers, model boats, and pictures of logging camps. A buggy ride with his father carries him across a turning bridge and past lumber yards, shipyards, mills, and floating logs. Bobby notices wheel spokes, pine smells, working boats, and water beneath the bridges, giving this children's adventure a setting built from a boy's close attention.

The outdoor scenes also follow Bobby into the marshes with Mr. Kincaid. Decoys, a paddle, and a punting pole are part of the preparations, while approaching darkness brings wildfowl onto the water. The changing light stirs feelings Bobby cannot yet fully understand. Back in the cabin, a stove, supper, and simple furnishings give the scene a different scale. Readers interested in stories of childhood and outdoor life will find practical curiosity set beside the sometimes puzzling force of natural beauty.