The book was part of the “British Boys Library”.
Preface [v-vi]
[v] It cannot be too often or too strongly urged that the reading of well-authenticated stories of heroism is bound to have a good influence, more particularly on young people. In the present instance the aim of the compiler has been, not to relate deeds which are simply daring and nothing more; for in that case it would be difficult to distinguish the very thin line which divides simple daring from mere foolhardiness. His endeavour has been rather to bring before the notice of his readers stories of that daring which is born of a strong desire to help some fellow-creature in imminent peril of life or limb. And his object will have been attained if this book serves to emphasise, even in one mind, the fact that though daring is sometimes degraded and ignoble, yet there is a nobility of daring which all may emulate with advantage to themselves and others. That man may be ‘daring’ who risks his life by walking a tight-rope or diving from a dizzy height into a shallow tank for the entertainment of a gaping crowd, whose interest is aroused not so much by his cleverness or [vi] nimbleness as by a haunting, unacknowledged dread that he may fall and injure himself. But how infinitely nobler is the daring of the man who walks the top of the tottering wall of some burning house, or plunges into unplumbed ocean depths, to recue man or woman or child from threatened death! These, and such as these, are the deeds that win the world’s sincerest admiration; and it is because the compiler of this book has so strong a faith in the attractive power of deeds of noble daring, that he ventures to hope for it a kindly welcome from those into whose hands it may fall.
The book is a compilation of stories taken from various sources (including Yonge’s Book of Golden Deeds) and retold in very simple language.
Its 27 stories are mostly about worthy men who save others’ lives, but also refer to female heroism. In “A Timely Warning”, women save a train when a bridge has collapsed (87–94):
“The world’s roll of heroines does not contain so many names as its list of heroes – not because women are by nature less heroic than men, but because their opportunities for heroism are fewer. Man is the natural guardian and protector of woman; it is his duty to shield her from harm and danger as far as it is in his power to do so. His business takes him out into the world, and his daily intercourse with his fellowmen brings him opportunities for heroism such as woman, in the comparative seclusion of home, never meets. And yet, when occasion demands, wives and mothers and sisters can show themselves every whit as brave as husbands and fathers and brothers. Is there any danger a woman will not face if her helpless little children are in peril? For love’s sweet sake women have dared death itself – and will again. But though heroism prompted by love is grand and noble, there is a heroism of yet another kind which almost surpasses it. When love is the incentive, danger is never considered; but what of the heroism that sees the danger, and, although the resistless, compelling power of love be absent altogether, dares everything just for the sake of common humanity!” (87)
“What She Could: The Story of Alice Ayres” (101–106)
“A Teacher’s Deed of Daring” [Hannah Rosbotham] (160–164)
“A Woman’s Heroism” (170–174)
Contents
Toady, The Clown 9Heroes of the Sea 16
Angel or Boy? 21
Miners’ Deed of Daring 27
Out of the Shark’s Jaws 35
How It Was Done 42
Bravery on the Battlefield 50
A Daring Rescue 54
How Grisell Saved Her Father 60
A Lancashire Hero 66
True to Her Trust 70
A Brave Stoker 75
The Sound of the Pibrock 82
A Timely Warning 87
Saved from the Sea 95
What She Could 101
How Rorke’s Drift Was Saved 107
A Race With a Blizzard 116
For Margaret’s Sake 124
The Saving of Sam Chapman 131
To the Rescue 139
A Fight for Life in a Sewer 144
A Baby’s Bravery 150
By Normandy’s Blue Sea 155
A Teacher’s Deed of Daring 160
From the Midst of the Fire 165
A Woman’s Heroism 170