Hilda T. Skae
The Adventure League
"The Adventure League" by Hilda T. Skae is a children's adventure novel likely written in the early 20th century. The story unfolds on a small island off the west coast of Scotland, where a group of young friends, including Marjorie, Reggie, and Tricksy, engage in egg-gathering and exploration. As they embark on various escapades, they also become embroiled in a mystery when one of their companions, Neil, is wrongly accused of a robbery. At the start of the book, we meet a group of children who are enjoying a summer morning on Erricha Island. As they scramble across cliffs gathering bird eggs, they discuss their excitement about the arrival of Neil, who has just come home from an extended school break due to a measles outbreak. However, the group’s joyful dynamics take a turn when news of Neil's arrest for a crime he did not commit comes to light. The young friends decide to form a compact to prove Neil's innocence, setting the stage for an adventurous and heartfelt quest to uncover the truth behind the robbery and help their friend. This opening sets a tone of camaraderie, adventure, and the innocence of childhood, while hinting at deeper themes of loyalty and justice.