Posted by William Dashfield on February 24, 1997 at 08:08:28:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Best Ransome Books posted by Jack Eckert on December 07, 1996 at 14:31:00:
Peter Duck is a story made up by the S & As themselves; this is made clear in Swallowdale and other books. The original drafts included setting the screen in an old wherry in winter when Captain Flint and the S & As started telling the story (included in "Coots in the North"?). In the event AR decided it was better without the 'picture frame' around the story.
Also, this is when AR began illistrating his own books - the illustrations where meant to be done by the children and so less polished. They were so popular he went back an reillustrated the earlier books.
Missee Lee is, I think, as do others (see "Captain Flint's trunk") another made up story. Definitely has all the hallmarks. In chronologies of ARs books, I'm sure there would be am 'empty' winter for making this up!
The others could all be true, even 'Great Northern?' which includes them sailing with Captain Flint again. Just...possible!