Allan Quatermain · Chapter
XXI: Away! Away! explained
Allan Quatermain and Umslopogaas race through the night to warn Queen Nyleptha of a plot against her life, arriving at the palace to find it nearly deserted and the guards missing.
What happens
Allan Quatermain and Umslopogaas race through the night to warn Queen Nyleptha of a plot against her life, arriving at the palace to find it nearly deserted and the guards missing. They rouse Nyleptha, who sends loyal maids to summon help, and prepare to escape the impending danger.
Themes in this chapter
Friendship and Loyalty
Quatermain and Umslopogaas risk their lives to save Nyleptha, demonstrating unwavering loyalty.
Power and Politics
The plot against Nyleptha and Sorais's rebellion highlight the political instability and power struggles in Zu-Vendis.
Death and Mortality
The constant threat of death looms over the characters, from the battle to the race against time.
Characters to notice
- Allan Quatermain
Leads the desperate ride to warn Nyleptha, wounded but determined.
- Umslopogaas
Rides alongside Quatermain, vowing to kill Agon, and helps secure the palace.
- Nyleptha
The White Queen, roused from sleep, is warned of the plot and sends for loyal citizens.
- Kara
Loyal servant who freed himself from bonds and opened the gate for Quatermain and Umslopogaas.
- Agon
Mentioned as the 'old witch-finder' who set a snare for Nyleptha; Umslopogaas swears to kill him.
- Sorais
The 'Lady of the Night' whose forces are defeated in battle; she is marching on Milosis.
- Incubu
Mentioned as wounded but leading the advance against Sorais; Nyleptha's lord.
- Daylight
Quatermain's horse, collapses from exhaustion upon reaching the palace.
Key passages
“We win the day, Macumazahn , said old Umslopogaas, taking in the whole situation with a glance of his practised eye. Look, the Lady of the Night’s forces give on every side; there is no stiffness left in them, they bend like hot iron, they are fighting with but half a heart.”
Umslopogaas observes that Sorais's troops are losing morale and retreating, predicting victory.
Umslopogaas assesses the battle's turning point.
“On, never pausing or drawing rein, through the perfect quiet of the night, that was set like a song to the falling music of our horses’ hoofs; on, past deserted villages, where only some forgotten starving dog howled a melancholy welcome; on, past lonely moated dwellings; on, through the white patchy moonlight, that lay coldly upon the wide bosom of the earth, as though there was no warmth in it; on, knee to knee, for hour after hour!”
Quatermain and Umslopogaas ride relentlessly through the night, passing desolate villages and moonlit landscapes.
The relentless pace of the ride is emphasized.
“Oh, thank God, it is the White Queen herself, the Queen unharmed! There she stands in her night gear, roused, by the clatter of our coming, from her bed, the heaviness of sleep yet in her eyes, and a red blush of fear and shame mantling her lovely breast and cheek.”
Quatermain is relieved to find Nyleptha safe, though startled and embarrassed by their sudden arrival.
Nyleptha is found unharmed but alarmed.
