Fast in the Ice: Adventures in the Polar Regions

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Robert Michael Ballantyne. Fast in the Ice: Adventures in the Polar Regions

Chapter One

Chapter Two. At Sea—The First Storm

Chapter Three. In the Ice—Dangers of Arctic Voyaging

Chapter Four. Difficulties, Troubles, And Dangers

Chapter Five. A Gale—Narrow Escapes—Signs Of Winter—Set Fast

Chapter Six. Preparations for Wintering—Remarkable Adventures with a Bear

Chapter Seven. A Great Battle with the Walrus

Chapter Eight. The Cause of Ice-Bergs—Fox-Chase—A Bear

Chapter Nine. A Visit to the Eskimos—Wonderful Doings—A Mystery

Chapter Ten. The Tale of a Kite—A Great Bear-Fight

Chapter Eleven. Christmas Time—Death—Return of Light and Hope—Disasters and Final Deliverance

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It is now hundreds of years since the North polar regions began to attract general attention. Men have long felt very inquisitive about that part of the earth, and many good ships, many noble lives have been lost in trying to force a passage through the ice that encumbers the Arctic seas, summer and winter. Britain has done more than other nations in the cause of discovery within the Arctic circle. The last and greatest of her Arctic heroes perished there—the famous Sir John Franklin.

Were I writing a history of those regions I would have much to say of other countries as well as of our own. But such is not my object in this book. I mean simply to follow in the wake of one of Britain’s adventurous discoverers, and thus give the reader an idea of the fortunes of those gallant men who risk life and limb for the sake of obtaining knowledge of distant lands.

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“Because such a sudden fall in the barometer is a sure sign of approaching bad weather,” answered the captain.

The first man on the shrouds and out upon the main-topsail yard was Sam Baker, whose active movements and hearty manner showed that he had quite recovered his health without the use of physic. He was quickly followed by some of his shipmates, all of whom were picked men—able in body and ready for anything.

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