"Gleaner Tales" by Robert Sellar is a collection of historical tales written in the late 19th century. The work aims to capture pivotal moments in the early life of Canada, focusing on the experiences of settlers from the British Isles during the period of their first settlement. Among the characters are Lieutenant Morton and the Indigenous guide Hemlock, who navigate the complexities of war and survival against the backdrop of historical events
involving the American invasion. The opening of "Gleaner Tales" presents a vivid and intense scene set in 1813, following Lieutenant Morton as he is ordered to escort an ammunition train during a time of conflict. We witness Morton's interactions with his comrades and the unfolding drama surrounding a spy's escape attempt and subsequent capture. As the narrative progresses, Morton's character develops amidst tension and action, particularly in his encounters with both the enemy and his companions. The stakes become dire when he is caught in a web of suspicion after an officer is found dead nearby, leading to his trial as a spy. The atmosphere of apprehension and the need for bravery resonate throughout the opening chapters, setting the stage for further exploration of themes like loyalty, sacrifice, and the turmoil of early Canadian history. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Hemlock -- Archange and Marie -- The settler's first grist -- Abner's device -- A settler's story -- Jeanie Morison -- Lost -- An incident of Huntingdon Fair -- The summer of sorrow -- Note to the summer of sorrow.
Credits
Sonya Schermann, Martin Pettit and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Reading Level
Reading ease score: 76.7 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.
