The Secret of the Reef

"The Secret of the Reef" by Harold Bindloss is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around Jimmy Farquhar, a second mate on a steamer, who is thrust into a challenging adventure after being dismissed from his ship. The narrative captures themes of camaraderie, resilience, and the pursuit of fortune, as Jimmy embarks on a quest to recover the rumored treasure from a wreck near an island reef. At the start of the book, we are introduced to Jimmy as he reflects on his experiences at sea, particularly his connection with a fellow passenger, Ruth Osborne. Their budding relationship is overshadowed by Jimmy's recent dismissal from the ship due to a moment of questionable judgment involving a crew member's health. Following his departure from the liner, Jimmy pursues a new venture with two companions, aiming to salvage gold from the wreck on a treacherous reef. Their journey is fraught with difficulties, from harsh weather conditions to strained relationships, setting the stage for a gripping tale of adventure and intrigue. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Harold Edward Bindloss was an English novelist who wrote many adventure novels set in western Canada, and some in West Africa and England. His writing was strongly based on his own experience, whether as a seaman, a dock worker, a farmer or a planter.