Books with author R. M. Ballantyne

Fifteen-year-old Ralph, mischievous young Peterkin and clever, brave Jack are shipwrecked on a coral reef with only a telescope and a broken pocketknife between them. At first the island seems a paradise, with its plentiful foods and wealth of natural wonders. But then a party of cannibals arrives, and after that a pirate ship...what is to become of them?R. M. Ballantyne (24 April 1825 – 8 February 1894) was a Scottish juvenile fiction writer.Born Robert Michael Ballantyne in Edinburgh, he was part of a famous family of printers and publishers. At the age of 16 he went to Canada and was six years in the service of the Hudson's Bay Company. He returned to Scotland in 1847, and published his first book the following year, Hudson's Bay: or, Life in the Wilds of North America. For some time he was employed by Messrs Constable, the publishers, but in 1856 he gave up business for the profession of literature, and began the series of adventure stories for the young with which his name is popularly associated.

The executioner was about to obey when a noise was heard at the door of the Council Chamber, and a cavalier, booted and spurred and splashed with mud, as if he had ridden fast and far, strode hastily up to the Duke and whispered in his ear. The effect of the whisper was striking, for an expression of mingled surprise, horror, and alarm overspread for a few moments even his hard visage. At the same time the Bishop of Galloway was observed to turn deadly pale, and an air of consternation generally marked the members of Council(Illustrated)

The Coral Island, published in 1857, was written by Scottish author R.M.Ballantyne. This story covers the life of three young boys – fifteen year old Ralph (who is also the narrator), eighteen year old Jack and fourteen year old Peterkin, who are shipwrecked and hence stranded on a South Sea island. They have an abundant supply of food and the trio explore the island and the surrounding ones leisurely. But trouble begins when a party of cannibals arrives and soon after a pirate ship. The boys retreat to their safe place. When Ralph goes out to check, he is captured by the pirates.

A "rest of the story" account of the famous HMS "Bounty" mutineers who parted ways with Captain Bligh and company, "The Lonely Island" follows the mutineers to a remote, uninhabited island where they hope to finish their days in peace and quiet. For more than twenty years they remained undiscovered on Pitcairn's Island, far off the beaten sailing routes of ships at sea. "The Lonely Island," accordingly to Ballantyne, .,."is essentially a 'true story, ' the merest spider-web of fiction having been employed to bind it together." Readers of this tale discover how men without a reliance and faith in Jesus Christ, left to their own devices, will not experience peace and success. But, when God chooses to work in men's hearts, the change is remarkable.(Illustrated)

“The world is round,” said somebody in ancient times to somebody else.“Not at all; it is flat-flat as a pancake,” replied somebody else to somebody; “and if you were to travel far enough you might get to the end of it and tumble over the edge, if so disposed.”Ever since the commencement of this early geographical controversy, men have been labouring with more or less energy and success to ascertain the form and character of the earth; a grand, glorious labour it has been; resulting in blessings innumerable to mankind-blessings both spiritual and temporal.We have heard some people object to geographical discovery, especially in the inclement parts of the earth, on the ground that it could be of no use, and involved great risk to life and limb. “Of no use!” Who can tell what discoveries shall be useful and what useless? “The works of God are great, sought out of all those that have pleasure therein,” saith the Scripture. There is no reference here to usefulness, but the searching out of God’s works, without limitation, is authorised; and those who “take pleasure therein,” will be content to leave the result of their labours in the hands of Him who sent them forth. As to “risk,”-why, a carpenter cannot ascend to the top of a house to put the rafters thereon without risk; a chemist cannot investigate the properties of certain fumes without risk; you cannot even eat your dinner without risk. Only this are we sure of-that, if man had never undertaken labour except when such was obviously useful and devoid of risk, the world would still be in the darkness of the Middle Ages.Reuben Guff held these sentiments, or something like them; and Reuben was a man who had seen a great deal of life in his day, although at the time we introduce him to public notice he had not lived more than six-and-thirty summers. He was a bronzed, stalwart Canadian. His father had been Scotch, his mother of French extraction; and Reuben possessed the dogged resolution of the Scot with the vivacity of the Frenchman. In regard to his tastes and occupation we shall let him speak for himself.Sitting under a pine-tree, in the wild wilderness that lies to the north of Canada with the drumstick of a goose in one hand and a scalping-knife in the other; with a log-fire in front of him, and his son, a stripling of sixteen, by his side, he delivered himself of the following sentiments.R. M. Ballantyne (24 April 1825 – 8 February 1894) was a Scottish juvenile fiction writer.Born Robert Michael Ballantyne in Edinburgh, he was part of a famous family of printers and publishers. At the age of 16 he went to Canada and was six years in the service of the Hudson's Bay Company. He returned to Scotland in 1847, and published his first book the following year, Hudson's Bay: or, Life in the Wilds of North America. For some time he was employed by Messrs Constable, the publishers, but in 1856 he gave up business for the profession of literature, and began the series of adventure stories for the young with which his name is popularly associated.(Illustrated)

This book is illustrated.Little did Dick Varley know when he rescued a Newfoundland pup from an Indian's cooking fire preparations, that the dog would return the favor ten times over throughout the course of his life, and would prove himself to be the standard-bearer for the title of ''Man s best friend.'' In this heart-warming story, come along with Dick, his remarkable dog Crusoe, and his traveling companions as they set out across the western prairies on a mission of peace and exploration.Set in the exciting North American frontier, and filled with one heart-pounding adventure and harrowing escape after another, you won't be able to put this book down! The dog, Crusoe, will quickly become as dear to you as he is to his noble master.R. M. Ballantyne (24 April 1825 – 8 February 1894) was a Scottish juvenile fiction writer.Born Robert Michael Ballantyne in Edinburgh, he was part of a famous family of printers and publishers. At the age of 16 he went to Canada and was six years in the service of the Hudson's Bay Company. He returned to Scotland in 1847, and published his first book the following year, Hudson's Bay: or, Life in the Wilds of North America. For some time he was employed by Messrs Constable, the publishers, but in 1856 he gave up business for the profession of literature, and began the series of adventure stories for the young with which his name is popularly associated.(Illustrated)

t was late on a winter evening when our hero, William Osten, arrived in England, in company with his two friends and former messmates, Bunco and Larry O’Hale.When a youth returns to his native land, after a long absence which commenced with his running away to sea, he may perhaps experience some anxieties on nearing the old home; but our hero was not thus troubled, because, his father having died during his absence, and his mother having always been tender-hearted and forgiving, he felt sure of a warm reception.Our hero was so anxious to see his mother, that he resolved to travel by the night-coach to his native town of B—, leaving his companions to follow by the mail in the morning. Railways, although in use throughout the country, had not at that time cut their way to the town of B—. Travellers who undertook to visit that part of the land did so with feelings somewhat akin to those of discoverers about to set out on a distant voyage. They laid in a stock of provisions for the journey, and provided great supply of wraps for all weathers. When Will Osten reached the coach-office, he found that all the inside places were taken.“You’ll have to go aloft, sir,” said the coachman, a stout and somewhat facetiously inclined individual, who, observing something of the sailor in Will’s costume and gait, suited his language to his supposed character; “there’s only one berth left vacant, on the fogs’l ’longside o’ myself.”(Illustrated)

This meticulously edited sea adventure collection by R. M. Ballantyne contains thrilling maritime tales from all over the globe; from cold Polar Regions to hot South Seas.Table of Contents:The Coral IslandThe Red EricFighting the WhalesFast in the IceGascoyneThe LifeboatThe LighthouseShifting WindsSaved by the LifeboatErling the BoldThe Battle and the BreezeThe Cannibal IslandsSunk at SeaThe Pirate CityThe Story of the RockUnder the WavesJarwin and CuffyPhilosopher JackThe Lonely IslandThe Giant of the NorthThe Madman and the PirateThe Battery and the BoilerThe Young TrawlerThe Island QueenThe Lively PollRed RooneyThe Eagle CliffThe Crew of the Water WagtailBlown to BitsCharlie to the RescueThe Hot Swamp