THE WRECK OF THE RED BIRD

A STORY OF THE CAROLINA COAST

BY GEORGE CARY EGGLESTON

Author of "The Big Brother," "Captain Sam," "The Signal Boys," etc.,etc.

NEW YORK
G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS
27 & 29 WEST 23D STREET
1882

COPYRIGHT BY
G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS
1882

Press of
G. P. Putnam's Sons
New York

THE "BONES" OF THE RED BIRD

I intended to dedicate this book to my son, Guilford Dudley Eggleston,to whom it belonged in a peculiar sense. He was only nine years old, buthe was my tenderly loved companion, and was in no small degree thecreator of this story. He gave it the title it bears; he discussed withme every incident in it; and every page was written with reference tohis wishes and his pleasure. There is not a paragraph here which doesnot hold for me some reminder of the noblest, manliest, most unselfishboy I have ever known. Ah, woe is me! He who was my companion is my deardead boy now, and I am sure that I only act for him as he would wish, ininscribing the story that was so peculiarly his to the boy whom he lovedbest, and who loved him as a brother might have done. It is in memory ofGuilford that I dedicate "The Wreck of the Red Bird" to Charles PeltonHutchins.

G. C. E.

CONTENTS.