# Two Poor Children explained — The Maid of Sker

> Chapter companion for The Maid of Sker by R. D. Blackmore.

## What happens

The narrator reflects on the misfortunes of Captain Drake Bampfylde, the younger son of Sir Philip, who despite his wit and enterprise suffers a series of calamities from childhood through his naval career. The chapter recounts his accidental killing of a schoolboy in a fight, his subsequent entry into the Navy, and a string of bad luck including being bitten by a shark, disfigured by cannon fire, and surviving a shipwreck. The narrator also touches on Bardie's visits and the French maid's flirtations.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Orphanhood

Drake Bampfylde, as a younger son, is disadvantaged by birth order and suffers from lack of familial support, while Bardie is a poor child eliciting pity.

### Maritime Life and Adventure

Drake's naval career is central, including battles, shipwreck, and encounters with sharks and French vessels.

### Morality and Hypocrisy

The narrator critiques Nonconformists as disturbers and blasphemers, while also reflecting on his own flirtations and the double standards of society.

## Character check-ins

### Captain Drake Bampfylde

Younger son of Sir Philip, cursed with bad luck from childhood; accidentally killed a schoolboy in a fight, suffered multiple naval misfortunes including shark bite, powder disfigurement, and shipwreck.

### Bardie

The young lady for whom the narrator feels pity; she crosses the river to visit old women and Mother Bang.

### Davy Llewellyn

The narrator, who reflects on his own role and interactions with the French maid.

### Hezekiah Perkins

Mentioned as a Nonconformist disturber who might cast up Drake's past against him.

### Hepzibah

Mentioned alongside Hezekiah as a greasy Nonconformist who dreams wickedness.

### Sir Philip Bampfylde

Father of Drake Bampfylde, described as a very fine Sir Philip.

## Key lines

> Captain Drake Bampfylde was the most unlucky of born mortals.

Drake Bampfylde was exceptionally unlucky from birth.

_Introduces the theme of Drake's persistent bad luck._

> He fell into a pit of trouble through his education; and ever since from time to time new grief had overtaken him.

His schooling led to a deep trouble, and misfortune continued to plague him afterward.

_Describes the origin of Drake's misfortunes in his school days._

> He ran a thirty-two gun frigate under the chains of a sixty-four.

He boldly brought his smaller frigate close to a larger enemy ship's chains.

_Illustrates Drake's daring but unlucky naval tactic._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxxvii-two-poor-children
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters