King Solomon’s Mines · Chapter
XIV: The Last Stand of the Greys explained
The Greys and Buffaloes prepare for a desperate battle against Twala's forces.
What happens
The Greys and Buffaloes prepare for a desperate battle against Twala's forces. Infadoos rallies the Greys with a speech, and they march to certain death. Sir Henry Curtis engages Twala in single combat, wounding him. The Greys fight valiantly, reducing from 3,000 to 600 men, but hold their ground. Allan Quatermain feels a rare martial fervor.
Themes in this chapter
Violence and Warfare
The chapter describes a brutal battle with heavy casualties and single combat between Sir Henry and Twala.
Loyalty and Brotherhood
The Greys show absolute devotion to their king and duty, and Sir Henry fights to defend his honor and his companions.
Fate and Destiny
The Greys are foredoomed to die, and Twala accepts his fate, requesting to die fighting.
Characters to notice
- Sir Henry Curtis
Fights Twala in single combat, wounds him, and leads the Greys in battle.
- Captain John Good
Recovers from a faint and cheers Sir Henry on during the duel.
- Allan Quatermain
Observes the battle, feels a rare martial ardour, and worries for Sir Henry's safety.
- Ignosi
Leads the Buffaloes, grants Twala's request to die fighting, and tries to prevent Sir Henry from dueling.
- Twala
Fights Sir Henry in single combat, is wounded, and requests to die fighting.
- Infadoos
Rallies the Greys with a speech and fights alongside Sir Henry.
Key passages
“Never before had I seen such an absolute devotion to the idea of duty, and such a complete indifference to its bitter fruits.”
Quatermain marvels at the warriors' unwavering commitment to their duty, even in the face of certain death.
Reflects on the theme of loyalty and brotherhood.
“I will fight him; he shall see if I am afraid.”
Sir Henry insists on dueling Twala to prove his courage.
Shows Sir Henry's pride and determination.
“For the first time in my life, I felt my bosom burn with martial ardour.”
Quatermain experiences a rare surge of battle fury.
Highlights Quatermain's personal transformation in the heat of battle.