Maiwa’s Revenge · Chapter
V: The Message of Maiwa explained
Quatermain finishes butchering the elephants and is approached by Maiwa, a wife of Wambe, who delivers a message from John Every warning of an impending attack by Wambe's impi.
What happens
Quatermain finishes butchering the elephants and is approached by Maiwa, a wife of Wambe, who delivers a message from John Every warning of an impending attack by Wambe's impi. She also recounts the murder of her child by Wambe and her vow of revenge. Quatermain and his party begin a perilous ascent of a cliff to escape, with Maiwa leading the way. During the ascent, Quatermain shoots two Matuku captains with his express rifle to delay the enemy, and the party struggles to haul the elephant tusks up the cliff face.
Themes in this chapter
Revenge and Justice
Maiwa's vow to see Wambe die the same death he inflicted on her child drives her actions and the plot.
Cruelty and Tyranny
Wambe's murder of his own child and his order to kill Quatermain exemplify his brutal rule.
Adventure and Survival
The escape up the cliff under enemy pursuit highlights the themes of danger and resourcefulness.
Characters to notice
- Old Quatermain
Narrates the chapter; supervises the butchering of elephants, receives Maiwa's message, and leads the escape up the cliff.
- Maiwa
Wife of Wambe who brings a warning from John Every, recounts the murder of her child, and guides the party up the cliff.
- Wambe
Antagonist; murdered his own child and sent an impi to kill Quatermain.
- Gobo
Quatermain's assistant; helps with the tusks and carries the rifle during the ascent.
- John Every
Prisoner of Wambe who devised the plan for Maiwa to escape and warn Quatermain.
- Captain Good
Present during the dinner where Quatermain continues his story.
Key passages
“I mean to work, and work, and work, to bring this to pass, and to bring that to pass, until at length it comes to pass that with these living eyes I behold Wambe dying the death that he gave to his child and my child.”
Maiwa declares her relentless determination to see Wambe executed in the same manner he killed their child.
Maiwa's vow of revenge is central to her character and the plot.
“I said because I had not enough strychnine. It would take a great”
Quatermain claims he didn't poison the elephant carcasses because he lacked sufficient strychnine, though others suggest he was reluctant to use such a trick.
Quatermain's pragmatic yet morally ambiguous nature is revealed.
“I put up the three hundred yard flap, and sitting down with my back against the rock, I drew a long breath to steady myself, and covered the tall man, giving him a full sight. Feeling that I was on him, I pulled, and before the sound of the striking bullet could reach my ears, I saw the man throw up his arms and pitch forward on to his head.”
Quatermain shoots and kills a Matuku captain at over 300 yards, demonstrating his marksmanship and causing the enemy to hesitate.
This event showcases Quatermain's skill and the tactical use of firearms.