Hair Breadth Escapes Perilous incidents in the lives of sailors and travelers in Japan, Cuba, East Indies, etc., etc.

"Hair Breadth Escapes" by T. S. Arthur is a collection of adventure stories written in the late 19th century. The book narrates perilous incidents experienced by sailors and travelers in various locations, including Japan and Cuba, emphasizing themes of bravery, survival, and human resilience amidst danger. The opening story focuses on a harrowing encounter with pirates, setting a thrilling tone for the rest of the collection. The opening of "Hair Breadth Escapes" introduces readers to the assistant pilot of a merchant vessel named Dolphin. As the ship approaches Cuba, the crew encounters a pirate ship that ultimately captures them. The assistant pilot describes the terrifying atmosphere aboard the pirate vessel, highlighting the captain's arrogance and the crew's fearful denial of possessing treasure. As the pirates threaten violence to extract gold from the Dolphin's captain, the narrative builds tension, showcasing themes of survival and the complexities of human behavior when faced with peril. This gripping beginning sets the stage for further adventures that blend danger and the human spirit's determination. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Timothy Shay Arthur — known as T. S. Arthur — was a popular 19th-century American writer. He is famously known for his temperance novel Ten Nights in a Bar-Room and What I Saw There (1854), which helped demonize alcohol in the eyes of the American public.