It is almost a century that differentiates us from the early works of Robert Service. An ocean separates us from his birthplace. A continent divides us from his subjects. Nothing can isolate us from his spirit and soul. Here is an explanation of some of the words, terms, people and places that may succor the modern reader.

A

Arcadie

Pastoral region of ancient Greece that came to be considered a rural, bucolic paradise.

argently

In a silvery-white way.

attainted

Convicted; sullied; disgraced.

Aurora Borealis

The Northern Lights, the colorful display in the sky caused by solar eruptions.

B

bacchanalian

A boisterous reveler. Stemming from the Roman god Bacchus, Greek Bakkhos.

bally

Synonym for "bloody."

Brittany

A historical region and former province of northwest France on a peninsula between the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay.

bull-pines

Long-needled pine; e.g., ponderosa, digger, loblolly or limber pine.

bunting

Cloth decorations/flags in the colors of the national flag.

C

calcined

Reduced to whitish powder by intense heat.

Caliban

Rude, uncouth. The allusion is to Shakespeare's Caliban in The Tempest, the deformed half-human son of a devil and a witch.

canorous

Suggestive of loud, swelling song.

canvas-back

Wild duck with salt-and-pepper back plumage.

chancel rat

Larger cousin of the church mouse.

cheechako

[Chinook:] tenderfoot; greenhorn.

chummed up

Formed a close friendship.

cinch

To make sure of anything. To bring someone else into difficulty.

college eight

Crew team representing the school in a race.

Cormak, George

Member of the party that first discovered gold near Rabbit Creek, Yukon.

coronal

Of the Northern Lights' apparent convergence around the magnetic pole.

coruscate

To give forth flashes of light; sparkle and glitter.