The Second String

The narrative follows Jack Redland, a well-bred but luckless young man who seeks a fresh start by riding the horse Topsy Turvy and sailing aboard the Golden Land under Captain Seagrave. After competing at Lewes, he embarks for distant shores where he becomes involved with diving operations and a pursuit of black pearls, faces theft and personal loss, and takes on various jobs while training and racing horses. Encounters with friends, rivals, and a romantic interest complicate his fortunes, and the plot resolves as he confronts setbacks, reassesses his ambitions, and returns home with a clearer sense of purpose.