This story revolves around the central character, one young man named Murdoch Campbell, whose life takes an unexpected turn that when he is unjustly accused of a crime he did not commit. Framed for theft, Murdoch finds himself banished to a life of slavery in the British colonies. In this harsh and other is unfamiliar environment, and he endures the grueling challenges of forced labor, and battles with his own inner demons, and suffers the cruelty of overseers. Yet, despite the odds stacked against him, Murdoch's indomitable spirit remains unbroken. Throughout the narrative, the author delves into themes of resilience, perseverance, and the pursuit of justice. As Murdoch navigates through the complexities of his new reality, he encounters a diverse cast of characters, both friends and foes, who impact his journey in unexpected ways. As the story unfolds, Murdoch's determination to clear his name intensifies, leading him on a gripping quest for freedom and redemption. He unearths hidden truths, discovers unlikely allies, and confronts dangerous adversaries in his pursuit of vindication. "Twice Bought" is a timeless tale of courage and also the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. Ballantyne's vivid storytelling transports readers to a world of hardship and hope, making it an enduring classic in the realm of adventure literature.
R. M. Ballantyne was a Scottish writer of young adult literature who produced more than a hundred books between 24 April 1825 and 8 February 1894. He was also a skilled artist; some of his watercolors were on display at the Royal Scottish Academy. The ninth of ten children and youngest son of Alexander Thomson Ballantyne (1776-1847) and his wife Anne, Ballantyne was born in Edinburgh on April 24, 1825. (1786-1855). Robert's uncle James Ballantyne (1772-1833) was Sir Walter Scott's printer, and Alexander worked as a newspaper editor and printer in the family business "Ballantyne & Co" based at Paul's Works on the Canongate. The family is documented to have resided at 20 Fettes Row in Edinburgh's northern New Town in 1832-1833. The Ballantyne printing company collapsed the next year with debts of £130,000 as a result of a UK-wide banking crisis, which caused a decrease in the family's finances. Ballantyne moved to Canada at the age of 16 and worked for the Hudson's Bay Company for five years. He traveled by canoe and sleigh to the regions that are now the provinces of Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec to trade with the local First Nations and Native Americans for furs; these experiences served as the inspiration for his book The Young Fur Traders.
