Don Sturdy Captured By Head Hunters (or) Adrift In The Wilds Of Borneo, is one of a series of 15 boy's adventures attributed to the pseudonym Victor Appleton, written by John Duffield between 1925 and 1935.
The syndicate that published Don Sturdy also used the Victor Appleton name for the Tom Swift series. I have a soft spot for vintage series books - escaping to exotic locales and falling into mischief - at the same time experiencing an adventure through the eyes of those who read it almost 100 years ago.
In the middle of the series, Don and his friend Teddy have already been globetrotting (the North Pole, Egypt, the Amazon etc.) with Don's explorer father Richard, game-hunting Uncle Frank, and archeologist Uncle Bruce. Why these boys are allowed to join dangerous expeditions I don't know, but they always prove themselves capable. This time a travelling circus comes to town and they see a 'Man from Borneo' on display - cue a museum funded trip for artifacts from Borneo, travelling by steamer through the untouched Hawaiian islands, through Manila, and headlong into a violent shipwrecking storm. Washing up seperately on a jungle island, they encounter panthers, deer, giant snakes, and angry natives before being reunited - when they are captured by cannibal head hunters!
For real, there are more heads lopped off and victims bled to death than you would expect from a boy's novel, although there are yet worse fates, as they are held until the full moon to be tied down and sliced with knives until the bloodthirsty angry red fire ants eat them alive. Yes, the jungle is full of dangers, but this is pretty raw for 1928!
A quick read, surprisingly well written and without talking down to the reader. The descriptions of Hawaii must have been exotic to people who didn't have the chance to go there and the promise of adventure pays off. Although there are a few women in the background this series is male heavy - exploring is no place for girls - they stay home and read Cherry Ames. Remember to pack your gun, as you'll want to shot to death anything that jumps out at you!
1928 / Hardcover/ 214 pages
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