ploration in remotest Africa. Quartermain's is a solely masculine world. There is no question in the text of a woman's being included in the party; that adumbration would await Hollywood's versions of the story.
What points to the homosocial theme, apart from the exercises of male bonding that engage the organization and equipping of the trek, is the introduction of Umbopa, who begs, "O white men, that if indeed you travel so far I would travel with you." Quartermain's initial mistrust gives way to being in awe of Ignosi's men as they prepare to meet old king Twala in the field:
And yet they never hesitated, nor could I detect a sign of fear upon the face of a single warrior. . . . I could not, even at that moment, help contrasting their state of mind with my own, which was far from comfortable, and breathing a sigh of envy and admiration. Never before had I seen such an absolute devotion to the idea of duty, and such a complete indifference to its bitter fruits.
"Behold your king!" ended old Infadoos, pointing to Ignosi; "go fight and fall for
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