Chapter I: Preface

“Lost in the Land of Ice” relates the adventures of a boy and a young man who, in company with a sturdy ship’s crew, go in search of a lost treasure ship said to be cast away somewhere in the region of the South Pole. Fortunately the young man who plays such an important part in the narrative is rich, hence the fitting out of the expedition becomes a comparatively easy matter. But enemies hear of the lost treasure ship and also go in quest of it, and this results in scenes of peril not altogether due to natural causes.

My main object in writing this tale was to acquaint young readers with something of the wonders of the region around the South Pole. While numerous expeditions have been sent north and volumes upon volumes have been written concerning these trips, hardly any expeditions have gone south, and the Land of Desolation, so called, is almost as much of a mystery to-day as it was a century ago, the nearest approach to the Pole being made by Sir James Clark Ross in 1842, and this being but little closer than the approach by Wendell, in 1823. It is indeed a Land of Desolation, yet to-day scientists and daring explorers are accomplishing so much that I believe the near future will see the mystery of both the South and the North Pole cleared away, in spite of the ice, the intense cold, and other drawbacks.

In placing this new story in the hands of my youthful readers, I thank them for their appreciation of my former efforts to interest them and trust this volume will fulfil their every expectation.

CAPTAIN RALPH BONEHILL.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGE

I. THE COLD-STORAGE WAREHOUSE, 7

II. BARRY TO THE RESCUE, 15

III. BOB’S REMARKABLE STORY, 21

IV. BOB AND A CAKE OF ICE, 29

V. CAPTAIN FENLICK, 35

VI. IN THE GRASP OF THE ENEMY, 40

VII. CAPTAIN FENLICK TRIES TO MAKE TERMS, 49

VIII. THE ATTACK IN THE ALLEY, 56

IX. A PRISONER ON THE VIXEN, 63

X. “CROWD ON ALL STEAM!” 71

XI. AN ADVENTURE IN THE FOG, 79

XII. OFF FOR SOUTH AMERICA, 87

XIII. WHAT HAPPENED AT PERNAMBUCO, 96

XIV. FIVE STOWAWAYS, 103

XV. SOMETHING ABOUT A PISTOL, 109

XVI. THE PRISONERS IN THE HOLD, 117

XVII. THE WILD PATAGONIANS, 124

XVIII. CAPTAIN GORDON’S OFFER, 132

XIX. “WE MUST FIGHT!” 141

XX. A STRANGE MEETING ON THE BEACH, 148

XXI. ADRIFT IN A STORM, 156

XXII. THE CONTEST FOR THE ARROW, 164

XXIII. THE VOYAGE IS CONTINUED, 172

XXIV. THREE POLAR BEARS, 180

XXV. CAST AWAY IN THE ICE, 187

XXVI. ADVENTURES ON THE BIG ICEBERG, 193

XXVII. FROM ONE DIFFICULTY TO ANOTHER, 199

XXVIII. UP INTO THE AIR, 206

XXIX. “THE SHIP! THE SHIP!” 212

XXX. THE MAGNETISM OF THE SOUTH POLE, 221

XXXI. MEETING OF FATHER AND SON, 228

XXXII. HOME AGAIN--CONCLUSION, 235

LOST IN THE LAND OF ICE