A childrens story of a motherless boy (Leonard) who goes to stay with his widowed aunt and older boy cousin Steve in West Poley. The two boys become friends and explore the caves in the nearby Mendips where they find a secret cave inside a larger one with an subterranean stream. Origiannly the dicovery amuses them as they change the direction of this stream with disastrous results for West Poley, but much to the delight of East Poley's residents. Changing the stream back involves another young boy (who is apprenticed to the cruel miller) and two life threatening incidents.

This story unlike Hardy's usual novels, everything ends happily! The story was lost for nearly 70 years. It was originally written in 1883 as a serialization in a Boston youth magazine Youth's Companion.

Chapter One

How We Went Exploring Underground ... I seem to hear the pattering of that mill-wheel when we walked by it, as well as if it were going now ...

Chapter Two

How We Shone In The Eyes Of The Public ... on the green were several people seated at a table eating and drinking, and some younger members of the assembly dancing a reel in the background ....

Chapter Three

How We Were Caught In Our Own Trap ... Indeed, sir, you need not ruin my promises so! she said with tears in her eyes ...

Chapter Four

How Older Heads Than Ours Became Concerned ... the miller was unable to check himself, and fell over headlong into the whirling pool beneath ...

Chapter Five

How We Became Close Allies With The Villagers ... I floated across to the spot under the opening, when the men all heaved, and I felt myself swinging in the air ...

Chapter Six

How All Our Difficulties Came To An End ... We crept close to the gallery mouth and listened. 'Whoever they call themselves, they are not at work like the busy bee!'

 

Principal Characters

The Man Who Has Failed
Aunt Draycott
Leonard
Miller Griffin
Job Tray
Farmer Will Gant
Millhand
Washerwoman
Old Woman
Susan
Branded Man
Scarred Man
Shepherd
Fiddler
Young Boy