An adventure novel written in the late 19th century. Set during the War of the Triple Alliance, it follows Captain Candell’s audacious bid to run a blockade with a clandestine cargo of rifles and the Paraguayan president’s diamond treasure. Expect naval pursuit, a daring balloon escape, and survival at sea with Candell, the stalwart mastro Diego, the fearless youth Cardozo, and the enigmatic government agent Calderon. The opening of the novel places the covert war steamer Pilcomayo off the Río de la Plata at night, its crew whispering about their true cargo—arms for the Paraguayan army and the president’s treasure—while Allied ships move to trap them. The rendezvous that should have eased their passage fails, and amid tightening patrols Captain Candell reveals his contingency: a gas balloon prepared to spirit the treasure away. Under fire, after crippling a pursuing frigate, he launches the balloon with Calderon, mastro Diego, and young Cardozo aboard, diamonds in hand; soon a distant blast hints at the Pilcomayo’s destruction. Carried eastward over the Atlantic, the trio contend with fickle winds, leaking gas, an approaching storm, a teasing mirage, and the menacing rise of a giant sperm whale.
