# Harry Ford — The Child of the Cavern character guide > Harry Ford in The Child of the Cavern by Jules Verne. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Harry, Ford, young Ford, Henry III **First appearance:** 0003-iv-the-ford-family ## Snapshot A young miner raised in the dark galleries of Dochart, Harry leads the descent that uncovers New Aberfoyle and the strange presence haunting it. ## Who they are Harry is Simon Ford's son, a collier whose lamp and instinct guide the first explorers into the vast cavern and its subterranean lake. When his lamp is mysteriously dashed from his hand in the dark, he begins to suspect an unseen enemy at work in the mine. His growing bond with the rescued Nell pulls him between loyalty to his father's ambitions and the secrets she cannot bring herself to speak. ## Relationships ### [James Starr](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/characters/james_starr) _professional_ Harry is the loyal overseer of the Aberfoyle mine, working closely with engineer James Starr. ### [Nell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/characters/nell) _romantic_ Harry is deeply in love with Nell, rescuing her from the cavern and becoming her protector and eventual husband. ### [Jack Ryan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/characters/jack_ryan) _friendship_ Harry and Jack are close friends and fellow miners, with Jack often providing comic relief and support. ### [Madge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/characters/madge) _family_ Madge is Harry's mother, a devoted and caring parent who lives with him in the cottage. ### [Silfax](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/characters/silfax) _rivalry_ Harry is Silfax's enemy, as Silfax opposes Harry's relationship with Nell and threatens the mine. ### [Sir William Elphiston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/characters/sir_william_elphiston) _professional_ Harry Ford works as the overseer for Sir William Elphiston's mine, with mutual respect. ### [Harfang](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/characters/harfang) _friendship_ Harfang is initially wary of Harry but later becomes a helpful ally in the cavern. ### [James Starr](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/characters/james_starr) _professional_ Harry is the loyal overseer of the Aberfoyle mine, working closely with engineer James Starr. ### [James Starr](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/characters/james_starr) _professional_ Harry is the loyal overseer of the Aberfoyle mine, working closely with engineer James Starr. ### [Nell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/characters/nell) _romantic_ Harry is deeply in love with Nell, rescuing her from the cavern and becoming her protector and eventual husband. ### [Jack Ryan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/characters/jack_ryan) _friendship_ Harry and Jack are close friends and fellow miners, with Jack often providing comic relief and support. ### [Jack Ryan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/characters/jack_ryan) _friendship_ Harry and Jack are close friends and fellow miners, with Jack often providing comic relief and support. ## In the story ### [I: Contradictory Letters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/i-contradictory-letters) Simon Ford's son, now about twenty-five years old. He is to wait for Starr at the Callander station to escort him to the mine. ### [On the Road](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/ii-on-the-road) Son of Simon Ford, meets Starr at the station and guides him to the Yarrow shaft. ### [The Dochart Pit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/iii-the-dochart-pit) Described as a fine, strapping fellow of twenty-five, strong and brave, who guides James Starr to the Dochart pit and shares his nostalgia for the mining days. ### [IV: The Ford Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/iv-the-ford-family) The son, uneasy about the anonymous letter and the stone incident, keeps watch around the cottage. ### [V: Some Strange Phenomena](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/v-some-strange-phenomena) Observes mysterious phenomena in the mine, including sounds, shadows, and a thrown stone, and suspects an unknown presence. ### [Simon Ford's Experiment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/vi-simon-ford-s-experiment) Harry assists his father, notices the sealed cracks, and identifies the handiwork of the mysterious intruder. ### [VII: New Aberfoyle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/vii-new-aberfoyle) The young miner who remains thoughtful and uneasy about the strange events leading to the discovery. ### [VIII: Exploring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/viii-exploring) Young miner, leads the way with the lamp, suspects a mysterious hand in the lamp's destruction. ### [IX: The Fire-Maidens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/ix-the-fire-maidens) Fails to appear at the Irvine festivities as promised, worrying Jack Ryan. ### [X: Coal Town](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/x-coal-town) Explores the mine extensively, hoping to find the mysterious being; knows every corner of New Aberfoyle. ### [XI: Hanging by a Thread](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/xi-hanging-by-a-thread) Grave and reserved, Harry is determined to uncover the mysterious being behind the mine's incidents. He descends a dangerous shaft and rescues a child, risking his life. ### [XII: Nell Adopted](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/xii-nell-adopted) Recognizes Nell as their mysterious savior; feels deep gratitude and affection; tries to help her adjust to the surface world. ### [XIII: On the Revolving Ladder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/xiii-on-the-revolving-ladder) Expresses love for Nell but insists she must see the upper world before marriage; educates her in reading and writing. ### [XIV: A Sunrise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/xiv-a-sunrise) Anxious about how Nell might change after seeing the surface world; supports her when she faints. ### [Loch Lomond and Loch Katrine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/xv-loch-lomond-and-loch-katrine) Carries Nell down Arthur's Seat and proposes marriage to her on Loch Katrine. ### [A Final Threat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/xvi-a-final-threat) Harry is away on a trip to the surface with Nell and Mr. Starr; upon returning, he learns of the accidents and insists on protecting Nell from the truth, while urging that the wedding proceed without delay. ### [The “Monk”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/xvii-the-monk) Expresses love for Nell and opposes her plan to return to Silfax. ### [XVIII: Nell’s Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/xviii-nell-s-wedding) The groom, determined to protect Nell and diving into the lake in a futile attempt to save Silfax. ### [The Legend of Old Silfax](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/xix-the-legend-of-old-silfax) Marries Nell after a six-month delay; the Harfang still bears a grudge against him. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/characters/harry_ford - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/characters