Afloat in the Forest; Or, A Voyage among the Tree-Tops

by Mayne Reid

"Afloat in the Forest; Or, A Voyage among the Tree-Tops" by Captain Mayne Reid is an adventure novel written in the mid-19th century. The story begins with the Trevannion brothers, Ralph and Richard, who find themselves homeless and without their father's estate after the death of their father, Squire Trevannion. They resolve to venture out into the world, seeking their fortunes in South America, a path filled with adventure and peril among the rich and dangerous landscapes of the continent. At the start of the narrative, readers are introduced to the brothers and the aftermath of their father's passing. Faced with betrayal by their family lawyer, they decide to leave Cornwall and travel to Peru in search of gold and opportunity. The opening also sketches the brothers' contrasting personalities and ambitions; Ralph is drawn towards mining, while Richard prefers a life in trade. As their journey begins and they arrive in Peru, they strive towards fulfilling their childhood promise of returning home with riches to reclaim their lost heritage. The stage is set for their adventures in the Amazon, in a world filled with exotic dangers and surprises, as they confront the landscapes of the Gapo and the treacheries of both nature and their own human fears.