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Kidnapped

by Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894)

  • Free to read
  • 5 hours to read
  • 31 chapters
  • Reading level: 6th grade

"Kidnapped" by Robert Louis Stevenson is a historical fiction adventure novel first published in 1886. Seventeen-year-old David Balfour's life takes a dark turn when his uncle betrays him, leading to his kidnapping and forced voyage to colonial servitude. After a shipwreck reunites him with Alan Breck Stewart, a fugitive Jacobite, the two become unlikely companions fleeing through the dangerous Scottish Highlands. Set against the turbulent backdrop of 18th-century Scotland, their journey intertwines with real historical events, including a notorious murder that threatens both their lives.

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  • Historical fiction
  • Scotland · History · 18th century
  • Adventure and adventurers
  • Kidnapping

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Chapter I

I SET OFF UPON MY JOURNEY TO THE HOUSE OF SHAWS

I will begin the story of my adventures with a certain morning early in the month of June, the year of grace 1751, when I took the key for the last time out of the door of my father’s house. The sun began to shine upon the summit of the hills as I went down the road; and by the time I had come as far as the manse, the blackbirds were whistling in the garden lilacs, and the mist that hung around the valley in the time of the dawn was beginning to arise and die away.

Mr. Campbell, the minister of Essendean, was waiting for me by the garden gate, good man! He asked me if I had breakfasted; and hearing that I lacked for nothing, he took my hand in both of his and clapped it kindly under his arm.

“Well, Davie, lad,” said he, “I will go with you as far as the ford, to set you on the way.” And we began to walk forward in silence.

“Are ye sorry to leave Essendean?” said he, after awhile.

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Contents

Show all 31 chapters
  1. Front Matter
  2. Chapter I
  3. Chapter II
  4. Chapter III
  5. Chapter IV
  6. Chapter V
  7. Chapter VI
  8. Chapter VII: I Go to Sea in the Brig Covenant of Dysart
  9. Chapter VIII
  10. Chapter IX
  11. Chapter X
  12. Chapter XI
  13. Chapter XII: I Hear of the “Red Fox”
  14. Chapter XIII
  15. Chapter XIV
  16. Chapter XV
  17. Chapter XVI
  18. Chapter XVII
  19. Chapter XVIII
  20. Chapter XIX
  21. Chapter XX
  22. Chapter XXI
  23. Chapter XXII
  24. Chapter XXIII
  25. Chapter XXIV
  26. Chapter XXV
  27. Chapter XXVI
  28. Chapter XXVII
  29. Chapter XXVIII
  30. Chapter XXIX
  31. Chapter XXX

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About this edition

This free edition of Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #421, released 2006-01-16. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Historical Novels, Adventure, Novels, British Literature.

Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).

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