Springhaven a Tale of the Great War

"Springhaven" is a novel written by R.D. Blackmore, set in the early 19th century, around the time of the Napoleonic Wars. The story revolves around Captain Caryl Carne, a half-French and half-English villain who aims to aid the French in their landing on the English coast. He prepares for this by filling the vaults of his ancestral castle with gunpowder and maintaining contact with the French camp at Boulogne. The plot takes a turn when Blyth Scudamore, also known as "Captain Scuddy," is taken captive in France and becomes privy to Carne's plans. The story also includes other characters such as Captain Zebedee Tugwell, who belongs to a family native to Springhaven, Admiral Darling who commands the coast, and his daughters Dolly and Faith. Parson Twemlow, who is keen to preach at Nelson, and historical figures such as Nelson and Napoleon also make brief appearances. The book's central theme is the fight against the enemy and the struggle for survival during wartime.