Allan Quatermain, an adventurer and white hunter based in Durban, in what is now South Africa, is approached by aristocrat Sir Henry Curtis and his friend Captain Good, seeking his help finding Sir Henry's brother, who was last seen travelling north into the unexplored interior on a quest for the fabled King Solomon's Mines. Quatermain has a mysterious map purporting to lead to the mines, but had never taken it seriously. However, he agrees to lead an expedition in return for a share of the treasure, or a stipend for his ...
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Allan Quatermain, an adventurer and white hunter based in Durban, in what is now South Africa, is approached by aristocrat Sir Henry Curtis and his friend Captain Good, seeking his help finding Sir Henry's brother, who was last seen travelling north into the unexplored interior on a quest for the fabled King Solomon's Mines. Quatermain has a mysterious map purporting to lead to the mines, but had never taken it seriously. However, he agrees to lead an expedition in return for a share of the treasure, or a stipend for his son if he is killed along the way. He has little hope they will return alive, but reasons that he has already outlived most people in his profession, so dying in this manner at least ensures that his son will be provided for. They also take along a mysterious native, Umbopa, who seems more regal, handsome and well-spoken than most porters of his class, but who is very anxious to join the party.Travelling by oxcart, they reach the edge of a desert, but not before a hunt in which a wounded elephant claims the life of a servant. They continue on foot across the desert, almost dying of thirst before finding the oasis shown halfway across on the map. Reaching a mountain range called Suliman Berg, they climb a peak (one of "Sheba's Breasts") and enter a cave where they find the frozen corpse of Jos� Silvestre (also spelt Silvestra), the 16th-century Portuguese explorer who drew the map in his own blood. That night, a second servant dies from the cold, so they leave his body next to Silvestra's, to "give him a companion". They cross the mountains into a raised valley, lush and green, known as Kukuanaland. The inhabitants have a well-organised army and society and speak an ancient dialect of IsiZulu. Kukuanaland's capital is Loo, the destination of a magnificent road from ancient times. The city is dominated by a central royal kraal.They soon meet a party of Kukuana warriors who are about to kill them when Captain Good nervously fidgets with his false teeth, making the Kukuanas recoil in fear. Thereafter, to protect themselves, they style themselves "white men from the stars"-sorcerer-gods-and are required to give regular proof of their divinity, considerably straining both their nerves and their ingenuity.
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Just as described. It arrived On time. I recommend iy Than you.
FanOfTimeLifeBooks
Mar 28, 2013
The Quintessential Adventure Story
Written in 1885, King Solomon's Mines is an exciting and suspenseful adventure story set in southern Africa in the late nineteenth century. The story is related to us by hunter and trader Allan Quatermain who, with the help of an old treasure map, goes in search of the legendary mines of King Solomon. Quatermain is accompanied by Captain Good, Sir Henry Curtis, and Umbopa who is one of many native peoples in the story; Sir Henry Curtis is also hoping to find his missing brother. All of the elements of great adventure story are present: an arduous journey through a parching desert and mountain snows, courageous and intriguing characters, an exotic location deep in Africa, a power struggle between rival groups among the native peoples, and, most importantly, H. Rider Haggard's fast-moving narrative style. Though the book contains words which today would be considered offensive and a scene in which an elephant is killed for its ivory, this book has stood the test of time and is truly a classic story of action and adventure.
Shepherdgirl
Mar 8, 2008
This is a very exciting adventure story, that you will not be able to put down.
librarianSpock
Aug 8, 2007
Great Adventure in the 1800s
Indiana Jones has nothing on Allan Quartermain. One of the greatest original adventures (written on a dare from the author's brother to write something half as good as Treasure Island), this story has it all - a lost civilization, untold treasures, humor, danger, treachery, war, and even a little mysticism. It's all told in engaging first person, and hard to put down.
RP86
Jul 30, 2007
A Real Treasure
A true boy's adventure, this book is action packed and exciting. Very fun to read together with the kids.
