The Author has been encouraged by the reception given to The Romance of Modern Exploration to write a companion volume on the adventures of early travelers and explorers. For conveniences’ sake the period covered ends at A.D. 1600, a date sufficiently advanced to permit mention of the first polar expeditions in which English navigators played so important a part.     [chương_files]  

It may be thought, perhaps, that exploration must be comparatively easy today. Less laborious no doubt it is in some details when Mandeville and Magellan travelled. But there are difficulties enough remaining to leave the romance of exploration untouched. Every explorer carries his life in his hand, however fine may be his outfit. Within the limits of this volume it is impossible even to notice all the modern explorers who have a claim on our admiration. – Summary adapted from the introduction     [chương_files]