In 1857, Charles Dickens paired up with his close friend and fellow Victorian novelist Wilkie Collins to produce this interesting novella. Said to have been inspired by the Sepoy Mutiny of that year, the tale scrutinizes the moral impact of colonialism and lauds the bravery of a regiment of Marines tasked with the responsibility of protecting a community of British expats from an encroaching swarm of dangerous pirates.

In his short stories, such as this, you see a completely different side to his style, writings and topics. This is quite a swashbuckling story of pirates, battles, imprisonment, escape and silver. To add to the fun if it, the story was set around Belize. In parts, quite similar us style to Robinson Crusoe. During the river and jungle depictions, quite reminiscent of Nick Bougas' 'Bodhu and the lost temple of King Nanchancaan'.