Description

The novel opens with the family in the hold of
a sailing ship, weathering a great storm. The ship
runs aground of a reef. The family learns that the
crew of the ship has taken a lifeboat and
abandoned them. Subsequent reaches for the
crew yield no trace. After the storm has abated,
the family finds itself within the sight of a tropical
island.
The father and his sons explore various
environments about the island, discover various
plants and animals and build a large tree-house,
complete with a library. They also use the
carpentry tools and local resources to build
mechanical contraptions. Eventually, sailing the
pinnace around the coast of the island they
discover a European family hiding from local
pirates. They adopt their daughter. Her father
returns on a rescue mission, restoring the contact
of the family to the outside world.