Allan Quatermain · Chapter
III: The Mission Station explained
The travelers endure a harrowing night on a rocky islet after navigating treacherous waters, and upon reaching the mission station, they hear a tale of a mysterious white race from a wanderer who is later killed by a lion.
What happens
The travelers endure a harrowing night on a rocky islet after navigating treacherous waters, and upon reaching the mission station, they hear a tale of a mysterious white race from a wanderer who is later killed by a lion. Mr. Mackenzie shows them a curious gold-inlaid sword as evidence, and they discuss the threat of the pursuing Masai.
Themes in this chapter
Adventure and Exploration
The travelers brave dangerous river conditions and a terrifying night on an islet, driven by the quest to find a rumored white race beyond the known lands.
Death and Mortality
The chapter opens with the grim disposal of a murdered Askari's body, and later the wanderer is killed by a lion, underscoring the constant presence of death.
Civilization vs. Wilderness
The mission station represents a fragile outpost of European order amidst the wild African landscape, threatened by the Masai and the untamed river.
Characters to notice
- Sir Henry Curtis
Listens with breathless interest to the wanderer's story and discusses the journey with Mr. Mackenzie.
- Allan Quatermain
Narrates the chapter, expresses skepticism about the wanderer's tale, and worries about bringing danger to the mission.
- Mr. Mackenzie
Hosts the travelers, shares the wanderer's story and the gold-inlaid sword, and prepares defenses against the Masai.
- Captain Good
Makes a wry comment about the Masai disliking rain because they hate washing.
- Umslopogaas
Mentioned as disliking fish, typical of most Zulus.
Key passages
“We made the remains of our rope fast to the other canoe, and sat waiting for the dawn and congratulating ourselves upon our merciful escape, which really seemed to result more from the special favour of Providence than from our own care or prowess.”
We tied the leftover rope to the other canoe and waited for dawn, feeling lucky to have escaped, as if by divine help rather than our own skill.
Quatermain reflects on their narrow escape from danger, attributing it to Providence.
“Alas! when our time comes, most of us like him leave nothing but bubbles behind, to show that we have been, and the bubbles soon burst.”
Sadly, when we die, most of us leave behind only fleeting traces, like bubbles that quickly vanish.
A philosophical meditation on mortality after disposing of the murdered Askari's body.
“I do not think that they will dare to attack you here. It is unfortunate, though, that nearly all my men have gone down to the coast with ivory and goods.”
I doubt the Masai will attack us here, but it's bad luck that most of my men are away on a trading trip to the coast.
Mr. Mackenzie assesses the defensive situation at the mission station.