Shows / The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The R. M. Ballantyne Library
Hoist sail, shoulder your pack, and set forth upon a world of peril, discovery, and high adventure. The R. M. Ballantyne Library brings the stirring tales of R. M. Ballantyne to life in full. Journeys across coral seas, frozen wastes, untamed forests, and distant frontiers, where courage is tested and friendship proves its worth.For those who delight in shipwrecks, exploration, narrow escapes, and the grand adventure stories of the Victorian age, here is an invitation to travel once more into…
Episodes
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
Black Ivory Chapter 3
In which Captain Romer and his officers dine with the amiable yet complacent Governor Letotti, whose polished exterior conceals the harsh realities of slavery…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
Black Ivory Chapter 4
In which Harold Seadrift and his faithful companion Disco Lillihammer arrive at Zanzibar, set their minds to an adventurous expedition up the Zambesi river to…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
Black Ivory Chapter 1
In which a young English supercargo and a loyal seaman survive the wreck of their brig on the wild East African coast and find themselves at the mercy of a…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
Black Ivory Chapter 2
In which the industrious Arab Yoosoof readies a cargo of emaciated slaves for shipment amidst the shadowy groves and corrupt trade of an East African coastal…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Young Fur Traders Chapter 31 - The Course of True Love, Curiously Enough, Runs Smooth for Once, and the Curtain Falls
In which the frost of winter settles upon Red River, and amid the shimmering snow, Kate’s marriage-day draws near with a gathering of old friends and lively…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Young Fur Traders Chapter 30 - Love—Old Mr Kennedy Puts His Foot in It
In which young Harry Somerville, finding himself alone one morning, confesses his deep affection for Kate Kennedy amidst the picturesque tranquillity of the…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Young Fur Traders Chapter 28 - Old Friends and Scenes—Coming Events Cast Their Shadows Before
In which an affectionate family reunion unfolds at Red River, where the hearty Mr Kennedy eagerly anticipates news of his son Charley’s return, while the…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Young Fur Traders Chapter 29 - The First Day at Home—a Gallop in the Prairie, and Its Consequences
In which the family enjoys a lively morning, filled with plans and spirited horse riding across the bright, blossoming prairies, where the young equestrians…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Young Fur Traders Chapter 26 - An Unexpected Meeting, and an Unexpected Deer-Hunt—Arrival at the Outpost
In which our young fur traders navigate the treacherous politics and rugged terrain of northern wilderness, encountering old friends and new challenges as they…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Young Fur Traders Chapter 27 - The Chase—the Fight—Retribution—Low Spirits and Good News
In which the sudden and violent death of Mr Whyte unites friends and foes alike in pursuit of the desperate murderer, leading to a fierce woodland skirmish…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Young Fur Traders Chapter 24 - Hopes and Fears—an Unexpected Meeting—Philosophical Talk Between the Hunter and the Parson
In which Harry Somerville and his companion Hamilton arrive at Norway House and, while awaiting their uncertain orders, befriend the experienced hunter Jacques…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Young Fur Traders Chapter 25 - Good News and Romantic Scenery—Bear-Hunting and Its Results
In which the spring thaw sets the scene for three intrepid voyageurs—Jacques, Harry, and Hamilton—as they embark on a spirited journey through the pristine…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Young Fur Traders Chapter 22 - The Winter Packet—Harry Hears From Old Friends, and Wishes That He Was With Them
In which the fort’s occupants are exhilarated by the arrival of long-awaited letters from home, stirring tender reflections on distant loved ones and the…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Young Fur Traders Chapter 23 - Changes—Harry and Hamilton Find That Variety Is Indeed Charming
In which the relentless grip of a harsh winter cloaks York Fort in unyielding frost and snow, whilst two young travellers, Harry Somerville and Hamilton…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Young Fur Traders Chapter 21 - Ptarmigan-Hunting—Hamilton’s Shooting Powers Severely Tested—a Snowstorm
In which the young adventurers awaken to piercing cold and rekindle their fire before embarking on a brisk winter day’s hunt for ptarmigan, navigating…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Young Fur Traders Chapter 20 - The Accountant’s Story
In which the lively York Fort bustles with arriving brigades, and a tender-hearted newcomer named Peterkin becomes the reluctant subject of mischievous pranks…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Young Fur Traders Chapter 18 - The Walk Continued—Frozen Toes—an Encampment in the Snow
In which our intrepid travellers make their cautious way through deep snow and dense forest under the cold, solemn light of a winter's moon, contending with…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Young Fur Traders Chapter 19 - Shows How the Accountant and Harry Set Their Traps and What Came of It
In which two young trappers set out by moonlight to inspect an accountant’s traps along the North River, where they find and dispatch a rare silver fox and…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Young Fur Traders Chapter 17 - The Scene Changes—Bachelor’s Hall—a Practical Joke and Its Consequences
In which the young clerks at York Fort endure the harsh solitude and unvarying routine of an Arctic winter, finding relief in camaraderie, practical jokes, and…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Young Fur Traders Chapter 16 - The Return—Narrow Escape—a Murderous Attempt, Which Fails—and a Discovery
In which the morning bursts forth in lively jubilation as Charley, Jacques, Redfeather, and Wabisca navigate treacherous river rapids with both skill and…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Young Fur Traders Chapter 15 - The Feast—Charley Makes His First Speech in Public, and Meets With an Old Friend—an Evening in the Grass
In which the young fur traders are honoured guests at a solemn Knisteneux feast, where customs of eating and ceremony are keenly observed amidst grave speeches…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Young Fur Traders Chapter 14 - The Indian Camp—the New Outpost—Charley Sent on a Mission to the Indians
In which the young traders embark upon a journey to establish a new trading post among the Knisteneux Indians, encountering the rich customs and warm…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Young Fur Traders Chapter 12 - The Storm
In which the party battles a fierce thunderstorm while crossing a great lake, taking refuge and mending their spirits during days of enforced delay, and the…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Young Fur Traders Chapter 13 - The Canoe—Ascending the Rapids—the Portage—Deer-Shooting, and Life in the Woods
In which our youthful adventurers, Charley and his experienced companion Jacques, navigate the challenges of northern rivers and wilderness with unfaltering…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Young Fur Traders Chapter 10 - Varieties, Vexations, and Vicissitudes
In which the morning awakening of a backwoods camp is portrayed with vivid detail, capturing the varied dispositions of the voyageurs as they prepare to embark…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Young Fur Traders Chapter 11 - Charley and Harry Begin Their Sporting Career, Without Much Success—Whisky-John Catching
In which the young travellers endure a jostling morning afloat on Lake Winnipeg, their attempts at shooting gulls providing both amusement and mild mishap…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Young Fur Traders Chapter 8 - Farewell to Kate—Departure of the Brigade—Charley Becomes a Voyageur
In which the bustling fort becomes a scene of farewell and preparation as voyageurs ready their boats for a long journey, whilst tender partings unfold amidst…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Young Fur Traders Chapter 9 - The Voyage—the Encampment—a Surprise
In which the voyageurs embark on their northward journey with hearty songs and vigorous paddling, setting up camp on the lakeshore as firelight flickers amid…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Young Fur Traders Chapter 6 - Spring and the Voyageurs
In which the advent of spring transforms the frozen wilderness into a vibrant tableau of life and activity, bringing new sounds, colours, and movement to Red…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Young Fur Traders Chapter 7 - The Store
In which we are introduced to the bustling trading-store at Fort Garry, a place of eager anticipation and lively interaction where voyageurs receive their…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Young Fur Traders Chapter 4 - A Wolf-Hunt in the Prairies—Charley Astonishes His Father, and Breaks in the “Noo ’Oss” Effectually
In which the biting cold of the northern winter and the onset of spring’s thaw frame a spirited scene at Fort Garry, as young Charley Kennedy eagerly prepares…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Young Fur Traders Chapter 5 - Peter Mactavish Becomes an Amateur Doctor
In which young Charley, having narrowly escaped serious injury, is tended with rustic remedies and affection amid the vast, untamed wilderness, surrounded by…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Young Fur Traders Chapter 3 - The Counting-Room
In which we are introduced to the small, wood-lined counting-room at Fort Garry and its three peculiar clerks, each with their own distinct character and…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Young Fur Traders Chapter 2 - The Old Fur-Trader Endeavours to “Fix” His Son’s “Flint,”
In which we are introduced to the sturdy Fort Garry nestled on the icy banks of the Assiniboine River, where settlers lead a life marked by rugged frontier…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Young Fur Traders Chapter 1 - Plunges the Reader Into the Middle of an Arctic Winter
In which we are introduced to the young siblings Charley and Kate Kennedy, whose lives unfold amidst the wilds of the Red River Settlement, a distant and…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Young Fur Traders Preface
In which the author humbly sets forth his intention to portray with faithful accuracy the vivid experiences and landscapes of the fur-trading life, blending…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Iron Horse Chapter 25 - The Last
In which the industrious Will Garvie stands steadfast amidst the clamour and complexity of railway traffic on the eve of Christmas, tending not only to his…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Iron Horse Chapter 24 - Results of the Accident
In which the lingering effects of a dreadful railway accident are recounted with a gentle melancholy, revealing the courage and resolution of those it touched…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Iron Horse Chapter 23 - Details a Terrible Accident
In which a stormy night journey is interrupted by a dreadful collision between a passenger excursion train and a derailed mineral train, leading to a harrowing…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Iron Horse Chapter 22 - Mrs Tipps Goes on a Journey, and Meets a Gentleman Who, With Much Assurance, Comments Freely on Insurance
In which a bustling crowd assembles at Clatterby station for a much-anticipated holiday excursion, bringing together a diverse array of townsfolk and filling…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Iron Horse Chapter 20 - A Nest “Harried"
In which we follow the diligent Superintendent Sharp as he unravels a web of petty crime and fraudulent compensation claims, revealing the cunning and…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Iron Horse Chapter 21 - The Diamond Ring and the Railway Clearing-House
In which Edwin Gurwood, torn between duty and affection, uncovers a curious coincidence involving a lost diamond ring and sets forth to restore it, providing a…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Iron Horse Chapter 18 - A Soirée Wildly Interrupted, and Followed up by Surprising Revelations
In which Captain Lee’s boundless energy stirs a delightful Sunday-school treat, bringing together a lively company of children, friends, and earnest clergymen…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Iron Horse Chapter 19 - A Run-Away Locomotive
In which a secret shared in confidence sets a chain of cautious silence among trusted friends, while the calm routine of the station is shattered by the…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Iron Horse Chapter 17 - Gertie Is Mysteriously Cared for—Sam Natly Dines Under Difficulties in Connexion With the Block System
In which a mysterious benefactor arranges for little Gertie to receive the skilled tuition of Miss Netta Tipps, much to the consternation and curiosity of her…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Iron Horse Chapter 16 - Describes Engineering Difficulties, a Perplexing Case, and a Harmonious Meeting
In which Captain Lee journeys to London, attending a railway meeting and introducing his friend Edwin Gurwood to a new appointment, whilst grappling with a…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Iron Horse Chapter 14 - Which Is Too Full of Varied Matter to Be Briefly Described Part 2
In which the intrepid young Edwin displays remarkable courage and strength in quelling a violent disturbance aboard a high-speed train, while the vigilance of…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Iron Horse Chapter 15 - Treats of Mrs Durby’s Lost Parcel in Particular, and of Lost-Luggage in General
In which Edwin Gurwood endeavours to trace a lost parcel belonging to Mrs Durby, leading to a fascinating exploration of the labyrinthine world of the…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Iron Horse Chapter 13 - Treats of Railway Literature, Sleepy Porters, Crowded Platforms, Foolish Passengers, and Other Matters
In which we observe the devoted care of John Marrot, the engine-driver, as he prepares his iron horse for a journey charged with responsibility and strict…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Iron Horse Chapter 14 - Which Is Too Full of Varied Matter to Be Briefly Described Part 1
In which we are taken aboard the mighty “Flying Dutchman,” where the engine’s thunderous speed and intricate design impress all who dare to stand close, even…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Iron Horse Chapter 11 - Sharp Practice—Continued
In which the indefatigable Mr Sharp pursues the furtive art of uncovering pilferers among railway men, employing keen observation and stratagem to expose…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Iron Horse Chapter 12 - Loo’s Garden
In which the preparations for Mrs Durby’s journey to London are detailed amidst affectionate reminiscences and community concerns, culminating in a visit to…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Iron Horse Chapter 10 - Sharp Practice
In which the indefatigable Superintendent Mr Sharp, guardian of the railway’s integrity, devises a clever plan to uncover the perpetrators of a series of…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Iron Horse Chapter 9 - Concerning Domestic Economy and Difficulties—Surprises and Explanations
In which the practical difficulties of household budgeting are candidly explored through the endeavours of the good Mrs Tipps, as she strives amid unforeseen…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Iron Horse Chapter 8 - Mrs Marrot and Bob Visit the Great Clatterby “Works" Part 1
In which the industrious visitors, Mrs Marrot and her son Bob, behold the astonishing Grand National Trunk Railway works, where a multitude of trades unite…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Iron Horse Chapter 8 - Mrs Marrot and Bob Visit the Great Clatterby “Works" Part 2
In which Mrs Marrot and her son Bob are taken on a thorough tour of the vast and bustling locomotive works, where iron is forged, shaped, and transformed into…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Iron Horse Chapter 6 - History of the Iron Horse Part 2
In which the boundless triumphs and trials of railway construction are unfolded, from the steadfast navvies to the heroic engineering feats of tunnels and…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Iron Horse Chapter 7 - Little Gertie Comes Out in a New Light, and Bob Receives Good News
In which John Marrot, a seasoned engine-driver, suffers a painful injury that brings his family and railway colleagues together in a tender display of care and…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Iron Horse Chapter 5 - An Accident and Its Consequences
In which an evening at a temporary railway station unfolds with Mr Tipps nervously coping amid the bustle of passengers and the vigilant scrutiny of the…
- The R. M. Ballantyne Library
The Iron Horse Chapter 6 - History of the Iron Horse Part 1
In which we take a reflective excursion through the history and development of the Iron Horse, tracing the humble beginnings of railways from horse-drawn…