Blue Lights: Hot Work in the Soudan

by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne

"Blue Lights: Hot Work in the Soudan" by R. M. Ballantyne is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around the journey of young Miles Milton, who is at a crossroads in his life, torn between his desire to join the army and his father's opposing wishes. As tensions between father and son lead to a heated argument, Miles decides to leave home, setting off a chain of events that promise both adventure and consequence. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Miles Milton, a passionate and headstrong youth eager to carve his own path in life, particularly in military service. The opening chapters detail his explosive conflict with his father, which propels him away from home and into the bustling city of Portsmouth. As he navigates his new surroundings, he unwittingly becomes embroiled with a detective who suspects him of being a notorious criminal. Miles's quick thinking and instinct lead to several chaotic encounters, including the threat of being arrested and an unexpected alliance with a sailor named Jack Molloy. These initial events foreshadow the adventure and moral trials that await him as he contemplates the army and faces the harsh realities of life on the streets and in military service.