Kneeling in a "bullboat," fashioned from the skin of an animal, and wielding a paddle with the dexterity only to be attained after years of practice in canoeing, a sturdily-built and thoroughly bronzed Canadian lad glanced ever and anon back along the course over which he had so recently passed; and then up at the black storm clouds hurrying out of the mysterious North. It was far away in the wilderness of the Northwest, where this fierce tributary of the great Saskatchewan came pouring down from the timber-clad hills; and all around the lone voyager lay some of the wildest scenery to be met with on the whole continent. Here and there in this vast territory one might come across the occasional trading posts of the wide-reaching Hudson Bay Company, at each of which the resident factor ruled with the arbitrary power of a little czar. It might be he would discover the fire of some Ishmaelite of the forest, a wandering "timber-cruiser," marking out new and promising fields for those he served, and surveying the scene of possible future bustling logging camps. Otherwise the country at this time was a vast unknown land, seldom penetrated by human kind, save the Indian fur gatherers. Considering that he was in so vast a wilderness this adventurous lad appeared to have scant luggage in his well battered bullboat—indeed, beyond the buskskin jacket, which he had thrown off because of his exertions, there did not seem to be anything at all aboard the craft, not even a gun, by means of which he might provide himself with food while on the journey downstream. This singular fact would seem to indicate that he might have had trouble of some sort back yonder. Indeed, the occasional glances which he cast over his shoulder added strength to this possibility; though the look upon his strong face was more in the line of chagrin and anger than fear. Now and then he shook his curly head, and muttered something; and once a name passed his lips in anything but a friendly fashion—that of Alexander Gregory. Swifter grew the current, giving plain warning to one so well versed as this lad must be in the vagaries of these mad rivers of the Silent Land that presently it would be racing furiously down a steep incline, with razoredge rocks on every side, apparently only too eager to rend asunder the frail canoe of the adventurous cruiser. Still Owen Dugdale continued to ply the nimble paddle, weaving it in and out like a shuttle. He kept to the middle of the river when it would seem to at least have been the part of wisdom had he edged his craft closer to either shore, so that he might, in time, make a safe landing in preference to trusting himself to the mercy of the wild rapids, in which his frail bullboat would be but as a chip in the swirl of conflicting waters.

St. George Rathborne's 'Canoe Mates in Canada; Or, Three Boys Afloat on the Saskatchewan' is a captivating tale that follows the adventures of three young boys as they navigate the waters of the Saskatchewan River. Rathborne's vivid descriptions and engaging storytelling immerse the reader in the beauty of the Canadian wilderness, making this novel a quintessential example of 19th-century adventure literature. The camaraderie between the boys and their encounters with the indigenous people they meet along the way add depth and richness to the narrative, offering a glimpse into the cultural landscape of the time. With its exploration of themes such as friendship, exploration, and the wonders of nature, 'Canoe Mates in Canada' is a timeless coming-of-age story that continues to resonate with readers today. St. George Rathborne, a prolific writer of adventure stories for young audiences, drew inspiration from his own experiences in the great outdoors to create this thrilling and heartwarming tale. Drawing on his passion for nature and his keen sense of adventure, Rathborne crafted a story that captures the spirit of exploration and discovery. Readers who enjoy classic adventure tales with a focus on friendship and outdoor escapades will find 'Canoe Mates in Canada' to be a delightful and rewarding read that will transport them to the untamed landscapes of the Canadian wilderness.

Reproduction of the original: Canoe Mates in Canada by St. George Rathborne

The Prairie Provinces cover Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

As Canada came to terms with its role as an independent nation following Confederation in 1867, there was a call for a literary voice to express the needs and desires of a new country. Children’s literature was one of the means through which this new voice found expression. Seen as a tool for both entertaining and educating children, this material is often overtly propagandistic and nationalistic, and addresses some of the key political, economic, and social concerns of Canada as it struggled to maintain national unity during this time. From Nursery Rhymes to Nationhood studies a large variety of children’s literature written in English between 1867 and 1911, revealing a distinct interest in questions of national unity and identity among children’s writers of the day and exploring the influence of American and British authors on the shaping of Canadian identity. The visions of Canada expressed in this material are often in competition with one another, but together they illuminate the country’s attempts to define itself and its relation to the world outside its borders.

"Practical Mechanics for Boys" is the last century illustrated book introducing the merits of mechanics to young adults. The book discovers the secrets of the mechanical basis of the world, paying attention to how light, sounds, and energy gets transmitted. Although some ideas are outdated, the book still has immense historical value.

Reproduction of the original: Boy Scouts on the Open Plains by G. Harvey Ralphson

"The International Spy" is an entertaining suspense story by Allen Upward. Filled with intriguing characters and a gripping storyline, this work is a must-read for spy story fans. Excerpt "Look! A fair, delicately-molded hand, on which glittered gems worth a raja's loyalty, was extended in the direction of the sea. Half a mile out, where the light ripples melted away into a blue and white haze upon the water, a small black smudge, like the back of a porpoise, seemed to be sliding along the surface."

Reproduction of the original.

Reproduction of the original. The publishing house Megali specialises in reproducing historical works in large print to make reading easier for people with impaired vision.