
Introduction.
Chapter One. - The forest, and the leaders of the folorn-hope—A good shot—A consultation—An ice-floe, and a narrow chance of escape in a small way.
Chapter Two. - Headquarters—The men—Disputation and uncertainty—New uses for the skins of dead boys!—Mutinous resolves.
Chapter Three. - Shows how Stanley deigned to consult with womankind—The opinions of a child developed—Persuasion fails—Example triumphs—The first volunteers to Ungava.
Chapter Four. - Explanatory, but not dry!—Murderous designs thwarted by vigorous treatment—The cattle pay for it!—Preparations for a long, long voyage.
Chapter Five. - Ice looks unpropitious—The start—An important member of the party nearly forgotten—Chimo.
Chapter Six. - Character partially developed—Ducks for supper—A threatened “nip”—Bundled out on the Ice.
Chapter Seven. - Shows how the party made themselves at home in the bush—Talk round the camp fire—A flash of temper—Turning in.
Chapter Eight. - Bryan’s adventure with a polar bear, etcetera.
Chapter Nine. - A storm brewing—It bursts, and produces consequences—The party take to the water per force—All saved.
Set against the stark, frozen wilderness surrounding Hudson Bay, this tale plunges listeners into the raw world of early fur‑trading expeditions. Through vivid, almost tactile prose, the narrative captures the clang of rifles, the whisper of pine forests, and the relentless chill that defines the North. It blends factual episodes with imaginative storytelling, giving a sense of authenticity while keeping the pace lively. The opening introduces a seasoned hunter and his eager protégé, establishing the camaraderie and hardship that shape their daily survival.
Frank, a restless youth with a booming voice, roams the timberline searching for game, only to be caught in a playful rivalry with the grizzled Stanley, who boasts of his experience and the occasional triumph over a wayward goose. Their banter masks a deeper concern: the looming expedition to the remote region of Ungava, a venture the fur‑company deems essential yet fraught with danger. As they debate whether to coax reluctant men into the journey, the story teases the challenges of leadership, courage, and the unforgiving Arctic frontier.
Language
en
Duration
~10 hours (628K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
Release date
2007-06-06
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1825–1894
Best known for classic adventure stories such as The Coral Island, this Scottish writer drew on real travel and working life to give his tales energy, danger, and a strong sense of place. He wrote for young readers, but his stories still carry the pull of exploration and survival.
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