Jack London 
The Cruise of the Dazzler 

The Cruise of the Dazzler is an early novel by Jack London, set in his home city of San Francisco. It is considered a boy’s adventure novel. In the novel, Joe Bronson, dissatisfied with his dull life at school, runs away and joins the crew of a sloop he sees in San Francisco Bay. He could see them talking it over and the other boys crowding around. ‘Who?’ ‘Oh, Joe Bronson; he’s gone to sea. Used to chum with us.’ Joe pictured the scene proudly. Then he softened at the thought of his mother worrying, but hardened again at the recollection of his father. Not that his father was not good and kind; but he did not understand boys, Joe thought. That was where the trouble lay.