IV: Alphonse and His Annette explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Colonialism and the Ideal of the English Gentleman

  The mission station is described as a successful and beautiful outpost of European civilization in Africa, contrasting with the wilderness.

• Friendship and Loyalty

  Umslopogaas's loyalty is shown through his meticulous care of the group's rifles, and the camaraderie among the party is evident in their shared laughter and concern.

• Death and Mortality

  Umslopogaas's axe, Inkosi-Kaas, is described with notches for each man killed, and Alphonse's story involves accidental killing and fear of death in Tonquin.

Characters to notice

• Umslopogaas

  Cleans the rifles on the veranda, names each gun and his battleaxe 'Inkosi-Kaas', and explains the axe's history and his fighting style.

• Alphonse

  Tells his life story: his love for Annette, conscription, desertion, accidental killing of his cousin, flight to Africa, and arrival at the mission station.

• Sir Henry Curtis

  Acts as translator for Alphonse's French story, smacks him on the back to cheer him up, and suggests going to bed.

• Allan Quatermain

  Narrates the chapter, describes Umslopogaas's axe, and listens to Alphonse's story.

• Mr. Mackenzie

  Sighs with relief upon hearing that the Masai have apparently given up pursuit.

• Flossie

  Retires for the night with Mrs. Mackenzie after the spies' report.

• Mrs. Mackenzie

  Retires for the night with Flossie after the spies' report.

Key passages

• “He had a name for each gun. One—a double four-bore belonging to Sir Henry—was the Thunderer; another, my 500 Express, which had a peculiarly sharp report, was 'the little one who spoke like a whip'; the Winchester repeaters were 'the women, who talked so fast that you could not tell one word from another'; the six Martinis were 'the common people'; and so on with them all.”

  Umslopogaas gave each firearm a nickname: Sir Henry's double four-bore was 'the Thunderer,' Quatermain's Express rifle was 'the little one who spoke like a whip,' the Winchester repeaters were 'the women who talked too fast,' and the Martinis were 'the common people.'

  Illustrates Umslopogaas's personification of weapons and his unique humor.

• “I took up the axe and closely examined this formidable weapon. It was, as I have said, of the nature of a poleaxe. The haft, made out of an enormous rhinoceros horn, was three feet three inches long, about an inch and a quarter thick, and with a knob at the end as large as a Maltese orange, left there to prevent the hand from slipping.”

  Quatermain examined the axe, noting its poleaxe design, a haft made from rhinoceros horn over three feet long, and a knob at the end the size of a Maltese orange to prevent slipping.

  Provides a detailed description of Umslopogaas's weapon, Inkosi-Kaas.

• “I am, messieurs , a cook, and I was born at Marseilles. In that dear town I spent my happy youth. For years and years I washed the dishes at the Hôtel Continental. Ah, those were golden days!”

  Alphonse introduces himself as a cook from Marseilles who spent his youth washing dishes at the Hôtel Continental, recalling those as golden days.

  Highlights Alphonse's background and nostalgic tone.

• “I loved to desperation, I adored her to despair. She transported me—in every sense; she inspired me. Never have I cooked as I cooked (for I had been promoted at the hotel) when Annette, my adored Annette, smiled on me. Never—and here his manly voice broke into a sob—never shall I cook so well again.”

  Alphonse declares his desperate love for Annette, saying her smile inspired his best cooking, and he sobs that he will never cook so well again.

  Captures Alphonse's melodramatic and comedic storytelling style.