The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-25

This story is quite out of the ordinary
and remarkably entertaining. To take up
a new work OF fiction and TO find. instead
of the expected stereotyped model, a mar
rative so fresh and original. so full of
strange happenings and adventures, so
vivid in portrayal that interest in it soon
becomes absorbing is a joy that the jaded
novel reader scarcely hopes. yet it is what
he may have in reading 1.-The Sweepers of
the Sea" 1t has seemed as if every field
had been so closely CLEANED by the story
writer's that nothing new was left. II.
G.. Wells has been forced TO go TO other
worlds for literary material and to create
fantastic and weird conditions on this
earth. Anthony Hope has been driven to
the creation of imaginary kingdoms. but
Mr.. Claude II. Wetmore. a St. Louis news
paper man, has resorted TO none of these
expedients. yet has produced one of the
most thrilling and fascinating of tales.
1t is a story of the restoration of Peru TO
its ancient glory. BY means Of a vast store
of wealth which once belonged TO the Incas
a great navy is secretly built. and when
the time comes sweeps the sea" and de-
stroys all who dare to oppose IL. To tell
what suggested this plan to its promoters,
how the secrecy in building the navy was
maintained. while at the same time ma
terials for the work were purchased in all
parts of the earth. how the campaign was
carried on and success finally won-to tell
all this would be at once an injustice to
author and reader. To enjoy the book prop
-erly its mysteries must be unfOlded grad
ualiy in the authors own way. 1t is not
for the reader TO raise the question of prob
abilities as he turns the pages; he is sim
ply 10 aeSept the tale as an unique con-
trfbution to his pleasure. and be thank
full. The combination OF Monte Cristo's for
tune, modern science and political purpose
affords opportunities for marvellous events.
and Tho 2Irhn n n0rrnfff0d nnna nf n
opportunities 10 escape. After the wonder
ful navy-which is the product of the high
est kill and most advanced scientific
knowledge-goes into action Ii has several
vessels. and these, particularly a fight with
a British fleet In the Atlantic ocean. are
.thrillingly portrayed. All is described in
the most realistic and matter-of-fact way
possible and as If by an eyewitness Of
the scenes.
One of the characters in the story is a
New York newspaper man, who is pres
ent, not as an actor. but in the capacity
of a friend of the leaders in the great
Peruvian movement. 1t is made possible
10 him through his exclusive knowledge
of the remarkable occurrences and their
inside history to secure a scoop" on all
other newspapers of a magnitude that
must make him distinguished for the rest
of his days. Incidentally, too. il may be
mentioned that there is not a woman in
the book. but the interest in the adventures
described is so well sustained that this
lack of the sentimental element will not
be regretted. Mr.. Wetmore in his younger
daye Travelled for six years with his father,
a sea captain, on the west coast of South
America. and therefore is we'll acquainted
with the places of which he writes. Early
in 1898. just before the Spanish-American
war. he wrote an article for the Century
magazine entitled "A Famous Sea Fight
which attracted much attention. He
has written many magazine articles,
but this is his first book. He
has collaborated in this to some ex-
extent with Mr.. Robert NJ. Yost. of
st. Louis. 10 whom he gives credit for the
prologue and the chapter on politics. He
has produced an extremely clever book and
one sure TO have readers. The Bowen-Mer-
rill Company, publishers. indianapolis.