Allan Quatermain

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Allan Quartermain is a sequel to King Solomon's Mines, where Quartermain, grieving the loss of his only son, yearns to return to the wilderness. He persuades Sir Henry Curtis, Captain John Good, and Zulu chief Umbopa to join him on an expedition from the east African coast, seeking a rumored white race north of Mount Kenya. Their journey is fraught with danger, including fierce encounters with Masai warriors and a terrifying subterranean adventure. Along the way, they uncover a lost civilization and become embroiled in a passionate love triangle that ignites a brutal civil war. The narrative draws from the author's own experiences in Africa. The story opens with Quartermain mourning his son, Harry, who has died from smallpox while seeking experience at a hospital. Quartermain reflects on his pride in Harry's achievements and his decision to let him work for his living, a choice that ultimately led to tragedy. He laments the loss of his son, expressing deep sorrow and regret over the circumstances that left him alone, old, and grieving, illustrating the relentless nature of fate that crushes lives without mercy.