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, but he was my tenderly loved companion, and was in no small degree the creator of this story. He gave it the title it bears; he discussed with me every incident in it; and every page was written with reference to his wishes and his pleasure. There is not a paragraph here which does not hold for me some reminder of the noblest, manliest, most unselfish boy I have ever known. Ah, woe is me! He who was my companion is my dear dead boy now, and I am sure that I only act for him as he would wish, in inscribing the story that was so peculiarly his to the boy whom he loved best, and who loved him as a brother might have done. It is in memory of Guilford that I dedicate "The Wreck of the Red Bird" to Charles Pelton Hutchins.

G. C. E.