Overview:
This excerpt from “Hunter Quatermain’s Story” by H. Rider Haggard, narrates a harrowing tale of survival in the African wilderness. The story unfolds as Hunter Quatermain, a seasoned explorer, recounts a journey he embarked on ten years prior, marked by hardship and tragic loss. While he initially shies away from sharing his most recent and astounding adventure—the discovery of King Solomon’s Mines—he begrudgingly recounts an earlier encounter with a buffalo that nearly cost him his life.
Quatermain’s earlier expedition becomes a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of the African landscape. A combination of bad luck, carelessness, and the unforeseen elements leaves him stranded and desperate. With limited supplies, Quatermain and his Zulu companion Mashune must navigate a treacherous terrain, facing relentless lions, dwindling resources, and the ever-present threat of starvation.
Key Findings:
- The African wilderness can be unforgiving and unpredictable, posing constant danger to even the most seasoned hunter.
- Native tribes and their customs are integral to understanding the African landscape.
- Buffalo are incredibly dangerous creatures, exhibiting immense strength and remarkable cruelty.
Learning:
- The Importance of Preparation: The story highlights the vital role of preparation in survival, emphasizing the consequences of neglecting basic safety measures, like properly securing a camp against fire.
- The Value of Resourcefulness: Quatermain demonstrates incredible ingenuity and resourcefulness in his quest to survive, making use of limited supplies and adapting to his surroundings.
- The Power of Companionship: The bond between Quatermain and Mashune exemplifies the importance of companionship in facing adversity. Mashune’s loyalty, humor, and bravery provide much-needed support, even in the face of overwhelming danger.
- The Devastating Impact of Nature: Quatermain’s encounter with the buffalo serves as a poignant reminder of nature’s power and the fragility of human life in the face of its untamed fury.
Historical Context:
This text was published in 1903, a time when European exploration and colonial interests in Africa were at their peak. The story reflects this period’s fascination with the “dark continent” and the romanticized notion of the intrepid explorer confronting the wilderness.
Facts:
- Lions are nocturnal predators: They are most active during the hours of darkness, hunting under the cover of night.
- Buffalo horns can be exceptionally strong: The tip of Quatermain’s buffalo’s horn was splintered when it struck a tree during the attack.
- Buffalo often display cruelty towards their victims: The buffalo in the story, after killing Hans, licked the flesh off his leg with its tongue.
- Buffalo are powerful animals: The buffalo in the story is able to toss Mashune into the air and gore him with its horns despite being wounded.
- Zulu warriors are known for their bravery and fighting prowess: Mashune is depicted as a courageous Zulu warrior who faces the buffalo bravely despite knowing the danger he faces.
- Zulus have a unique cultural practice of leaving weapons with the dead: Mashune’s assegai is placed beside him in the ant-bear hole, allowing him to face the afterlife with his weapon.
- The African wilderness is teeming with diverse wildlife: The passage describes encounters with lions, buffalo, elands, porcupines, and birds.
- Africa has a vast and diverse landscape: Quatermain describes his journey as traversing a “desolate and almost uninhabited region.”
- Water is a vital resource in the African wilderness: Quatermain and Mashune camp near a spring, and wildlife, such as elands, also congregate near water sources.
- Bushfires are a serious threat in the African wilderness: The fire that destroyed Quatermain’s camp is a reminder of the importance of proper fire management.
- Tsetse flies are deadly to most animals: The story mentions the “tsetse” fly, known for its fatal impact on animals, except for humans, donkeys, and wild game.
- Mimosa trees are common in the African landscape: Quatermain’s campsite is situated in a hollow fringed by mimosa trees, and the buffalo attack takes place near a stunted mimosa thorn.
- Martini Henry rifles were popular hunting rifles: Hans and Mashune use the Martini Henry rifle, a powerful and reliable weapon for hunting.
- Elands are large antelopes common in Africa: The story describes an eland coming near the skerm, highlighting the abundance of wildlife in the area.
- Zulus have a strong belief in the supernatural: Mashune expresses fear of ghosts, showcasing a cultural belief in the supernatural.
- The night sky in Africa is incredibly clear: The story describes a moonlit night where it is easy to read faint pencil notes in a pocketbook.
- Ant-bears are burrowing mammals found in Africa: The story mentions an ant-bear hole used for shelter during the buffalo attack.
- Lions are apex predators in the African ecosystem: The story highlights the fear that lions instill in other animals and in humans.
- African culture is rich in mythology and storytelling: Mashune’s song about Quatermain pulling out the lion’s heart exemplifies the use of storytelling and hyperbole in African culture.
- Watercresses are edible and grow in various parts of the world: Quatermain and Mashune consume watercresses as a source of sustenance, showcasing their practicality and adaptability.
Statistics:
- 300 miles: The distance between Quatermain’s camp and Bamangwato, the nearest settlement where he could seek help.
- 40 miles: The distance from Bamangwato to the site of the buffalo attack.
- 10 years: The time elapsed between the events of the story and the present time.
- 18 months: The time passed since Quatermain lost his party to an elephant attack.
- 50 carats: The size of the diamond shown to the ladies at the dinner party.
- 5 years: The length of time that Mashune had accompanied Quatermain on hunting trips.
- 3 cartridges: The number of Martini cartridges remaining when the buffalo attack occurs.
- 2 cartridges: The number of cartridges left for Quatermain’s eight-bore rifle.
- 8 feet: The height at which Hans was impaled on the mimosa thorn.
- 15 paces: The distance between the mimosa thorn and the bush where the buffalo charged from.
- 4 feet: The distance that the lion landed from the skerm when it sprang.
- 1 foot: The depth of the assegai plunged into the buffalo’s body by Mashune.
Terms:
- Koppie: A small hill or outcrop of rock, often found in the African savanna.
- Veldt: The open grassland of South Africa.
- Disselboom: The front axle and yoke of a wagon, particularly in South Africa.
- Voorlooper: A leader or guide, often in the context of a wagon journey.
- Skerm: A protective barrier or shelter constructed of branches and brushwood.
- Bangwan: A broad stabbing assegai, a traditional African spear.
- Isanusi: A witch-finder or diviner, respected for their knowledge of traditional healing and spiritual practices.
- Maboona: The term Zulus used for the Boers, the Dutch settlers in South Africa.
- Macumazahn: Quatermain’s Zulu name, meaning “the man who ‘gets up by night,’ or who ‘is always awake.’ ”
- Umfagozan: A derogatory term for a Hottentot, reflecting Zulu social hierarchy and prejudice.
Examples:
- The Lost Camp: Quatermain’s camp was destroyed by a fire, highlighting the danger and unpredictability of the African wilderness.
- The Buffalo Attack: The encounter with the buffalo underscores the ferocity of the animal and the tragic consequences of a close encounter.
- The Lion Attack: The lion attack demonstrates Quatermain’s resourcefulness in using a makeshift sight on his rifle to save himself and Mashune.
- The Search for Hans: Quatermain and Mashune search for the Hottentot Hans, showing the bond of companionship and the sorrow of loss.
- Mashune’s Song: Mashune’s song about Quatermain pulling out the lion’s heart displays the hyperbole and storytelling tradition in Zulu culture.
- The Use of Watercresses: Quatermain’s consumption of watercresses highlights the importance of using available resources for survival.
- The Description of the Moonrise: The detailed description of the moonrise showcases the beauty and grandeur of the African night sky.
- The Description of the Buffalo: The detailed description of the buffalo’s physical characteristics and its attack demonstrates the author’s meticulous attention to detail.
- The Description of Mashune’s Death: The description of Mashune’s death reflects the author’s ability to convey the emotional toll of losing a companion.
- The Description of Hans’ Fate: The disturbing image of Hans impaled on the mimosa thorn highlights the brutal and unforgiving nature of the African landscape.
Conclusion:
In this excerpt from “Hunter Quatermain’s Story,” H. Rider Haggard paints a vivid picture of the African wilderness, its beauty, and its dangers. Through the harrowing experiences of Hunter Quatermain and his Zulu companion, Mashune, the story underscores the importance of preparation, resourcefulness, and the bond of companionship in facing the challenges of survival. Quatermain’s narrative stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, even when confronted with nature’s untamed fury and the devastating loss of a trusted friend.