
Set against the turbulent winter of 1792 in French‑Canada, the story opens with a young officer who has served both the Virginia and Amherst regiments. He is a restless, charismatic figure, drawn into the tangled politics of the fur trade, the clash of empires, and the fragile alliances of the frontier. Through his eyes we glimpse the raw landscape of the New World, its icy rivers and bustling forts, while the whisper of old‑world intrigue follows every step he takes.
As the officer navigates the precarious balance between French commanders and British ambitions, he becomes entangled with a spirited local woman and a scheming trader whose motives are as shifting as the snowdrifts. Their intertwined fates set the stage for daring raids, uneasy truces, and a mounting sense that personal honor may be as costly as the war itself. Listeners will be drawn into a vivid tapestry of adventure, love, and the relentless drive for power that defines this early chapter of the conquest.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (142K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2004-08-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1862–1932
A Canadian-born novelist who found fame in London, he wrote historical romances packed with drama, politics, and vivid settings. His books, including The Seats of the Mighty and The Weavers, made him a widely read popular author of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
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