# Kazonndé explained — Dick Sands, the Boy Captain

> Chapter companion for Dick Sands, the Boy Captain by Jules Verne.

## What happens

The caravan arrives at Kazonndé, the slave-trading hub. Dick Sands is brought before the notorious trader Alvez and his ally Coïmbra. Tom and the other captured men are inspected and imprisoned. Dick learns from a note from Hercules that Mrs. Weldon, Jack, and Cousin Benedict have been taken away by Harris and Negoro. When Harris appears and insinuates that they are dead, Dick kills him in a fit of vengeance.

## Themes in this chapter

### Slavery and Human Trafficking

The chapter vividly depicts the slave market at Kazonndé, with captives inspected, imprisoned, and dehumanized by traders like Alvez.

### Courage and Perseverance

Dick Sands stands resolute before Alvez, and Austin defiantly strikes Coïmbra, showing resistance in the face of oppression.

### Deception and Betrayal

Harris's false insinuations about Mrs. Weldon and Jack's fate drive Dick to avenge the betrayal.

## Character check-ins

### Dick Sands

Brought before Alvez, learns of Mrs. Weldon's disappearance, and kills Harris in a rage.

### Tom

Imprisoned with the others, nearly exhausted from the journey, and protests their freedom to Alvez.

### Austin

Strikes Coïmbra when examined, showing defiance despite captivity.

### Alvez

The slave trader who inspects the captives and mocks them in broken English.

### Harris

Appears before Dick, taunts him about Mrs. Weldon and Jack, and is killed by Dick.

### Coïmbra

Alvez's ally, examines Austin and is punched for his trouble.

## Key lines

> Alvez! Alvez! was the cry again and again repeated by the crowd. Here, then, was the great man himself about to appear.

The crowd chants Alvez's name as the notorious slave trader arrives.

_Introduces the arrival of the slave dealer Alvez at Kazonndé._

> A blow from Austin's powerful fist sent the satellite staggering backwards.

Austin punches Coïmbra when he tries to inspect him like livestock.

_Shows Austin's defiance against the slave traders._

> Darting forwards he seized the cutlass that Harris wore in his belt, and plunged it into his heart. With a yell and a curse, the American fell dead at his feet.

Dick grabs Harris's sword and kills him after Harris implies Mrs. Weldon and Jack are dead.

_Climactic moment of vengeance as Dick murders Harris._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters/part-ii-ix-kazonnd
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dick_sands_the_boy_captain_se/chapters