On the Banks of the Amazon

"On the Banks of the Amazon" by W. H. G. Kingston is an adventure novel structured in twenty-one chapters. The narrative follows a young protagonist born in Quito, Ecuador, who recounts his schoolboy days with his mixed Spanish-English family, including his mother, sisters Fanny and Ellen, and brother John. After an earthquake damages Quito, the family travels to Guayaquil and embarks on a ship voyage to England. The novel chronicles their journey across the Cordillera mountains, down the Amazon River, and through the South American wilderness. Key episodes include encounters with native peoples, dangerous forest survival, encounters with "savages," and river perils. The protagonist experiences adventures both on land and water—including traveling down the Amazon on a tree—ultimately returning home safely. Kingston emphasizes geographical description and natural phenomena throughout the narrative.