This tells of the farther progress of _Treasure Island_, of the price
paid for it, and of the modest hopes with which it was launched. "The
poet" is Mr. Gosse. The project of a highway story, _Jerry Abershaw_,
remained a favourite one with Stevenson until it was superseded three
or four years later by another, that of the _Great North Road_, which
in its turn had to be abandoned, from lack of health and leisure,
after some six or eight chapters had been written.
_Braemar, September 1881._
MY DEAR HENLEY,--Thanks for your last. The L100 fell through, or
dwindled at least into somewhere about L30. However, that I've taken as
a mouthful, so you may look out for _The Sea Cook, or Treasure Island: A
Tale of the Buccaneers_, in Young Folks. (The terms are L2, 10s. a page
of 4500 words; that's not noble, is it? But I have my copyright safe. I
don't get illustrated--a blessing; that's the price I have to pay for my
copyright.)
I'll make this boys' book business pay; but I have to make a beginning.
When I'm done with Young Folks, I'll try Routledge or some one. I feel
pretty sure the _Sea Cook_ will do to reprint, and bring something
decent at that.
Japp is a good soul. The poet was very gay and pleasant. He told me
much: he is simply the most active young man in England, and one of the
most intelligent. "He shall o'er Europe, shall o'er earth extend."[41]
He is now extending over adjacent parts of Scotland.
I propose to follow up _The Sea Cook_ at proper intervals by _Jerry
Abershaw: A Tale of Putney Heath_ (which or its site I must visit): _The
Leading Light: A Tale of the Coast_, _The Squaw Men: or the Wild West_,
and other instructive and entertaining work. _Jerry Abershaw_ should be
good, eh? I love writing boys' books. This first is only an experiment;
wait till you see what I can make 'em with my hand in. I'll be the
Harrison Ainsworth of the future; and a chalk better by St. Christopher;
or at least as good. You'll see that even by _The Sea Cook_.
Jerry Abershaw--O what a title! Jerry Abershaw: d--n it, sir, it's a
poem. The two most lovely words in English; and what a sentiment! Hark
you, how the hoofs ring! Is this a blacksmith's? No, it's a wayside inn.
Jerry Abershaw. "It was a clear, frosty evening, not 100 miles from
Putney," etc. Jerry Abershaw. Jerry Abershaw. Jerry Abershaw. _The Sea
Cook_ is now in its sixteenth chapter, and bids for well up in the
thirties. Each three chapters is worth L2, 10s. So we've L12, 10s.
already.
Don't read Marryat's _Pirate_ anyhow; it is written in sand with a
salt-spoon: arid, feeble, vain, tottering production. But then we're
not always all there. _He_ was _all_ somewhere else that trip. It's
_damnable_, Henley. I don't go much on _The Sea Cook_; but, Lord, it's a
little fruitier than the _Pirate_ by Cap'n. Marryat.
Since this was written _The Cook_ is in his nineteenth chapter. Yo-heave
ho!