
In the waning days of the 19th‑century South African frontier, three young adventurers set out from a bustling coastal town with wagons, oxen and a modest band of guides. Their goal is the classic pursuit of big game—elephants, buffalo, and the elusive kudu—while hoping the ivory and skins will pay for the long, arduous trek. The narrative follows their careful preparations, the hardships of the African interior, and the constant balance between profit and peril as they confront disease, broken wagons, and the raw power of the wilderness.
The expedition soon intertwines sport with unexpected romance when two British women join the hunt, bringing a different perspective to the chase. As the hunters navigate encounters with lions, hippos and even a massive python, they must also learn the customs of the local chiefs and the unwritten rules of African hunting. Their story offers a vivid portrait of camaraderie, danger, and the strange beauty of a land where love can blossom beside the thunder of hooves.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (377K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
United States: E. P. Dutton and Company, 1895.
Credits
Al Haines
Release date
2022-10-15
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1835–1896
A restless reporter and world traveler, he turned firsthand adventures into lively books that brought distant places and dramatic events closer to young readers. Best known as a Civil War correspondent, he also wrote a long-running series of travel stories for boys.
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