A ship coming safely home to Nantucket Island was a great event. So great that the captain's wife might give the person who brought her the news a silver coin. Rachel Starbuck wanted more than anything to be the one who was sent with the news. But so did her brother Obadiah. And he was older. And bigger. And a faster runner.

And Obadiah said a girl would not be chosen.

What happened when the Speedwell was sighted makes a fine story. It will be enjoyed by the many, many Obadiah fans and make new ones for his stout-hearted sister Rachel.

From the dust jacket