# Allan Quatermain — Allan Quatermain character guide > Allan Quatermain in Allan Quatermain by H. Rider Haggard. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Quatermain, Allan, dear old Quatermain, Mr. Quatermain **First appearance:** 0004-i-the-consul-s-yarn ## Snapshot A small, withered, yellow-faced hunter of sixty-three who calls himself timid yet keeps the sharpest lookout of any man in Africa. ## Who they are Quatermain narrates his own adventures with a dry, self-deprecating humour, describing himself as nine stone six and half-worn, while Sir Henry Curtis looms beside him as a magnificent specimen of English manhood. He has buried his only son Harry and is coaxed back into one last expedition by old friends, carrying a lifetime's knowledge of human nature and a caution that never quite hides his intrepid spirit. His modesty, his jealousy of those he loves, and his unrivalled eye for men and motives shape every page of the story he tells. ## In the story ### [Dedication](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/dedication) Mentioned as a central figure whose acts and thoughts are recorded in the book. ### [Allan Quatermain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/allan-quatermain) Narrator and protagonist; grieving the loss of his son and seeking adventure in Africa. ### [The Consul's Yarn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/i-the-consul-s-yarn) Proposes the expedition to Mount Kenia and beyond, motivated by his son's death and a lifelong curiosity about the unknown interior. ### [II: The Black Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/ii-the-black-hand) Narrator and leader of the expedition; reflects on the ruins and the transitory nature of all things. ### [III: The Mission Station](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/iii-the-mission-station) Narrates the chapter, expresses skepticism about the wanderer's tale, and worries about bringing danger to the mission. ### [IV: Alphonse and His Annette](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/iv-alphonse-and-his-annette) Narrates the chapter, describes Umslopogaas's axe, and listens to Alphonse's story. ### [V: Umslopogaas Makes a Promise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/v-umslopogaas-makes-a-promise) Weeps upon reading Flossie's note, vows to save her, and helps evaluate Umslopogaas's plan. ### [VI: The Night Wears On](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/vi-the-night-wears-on) Arms himself with a Winchester repeater; reflects on his fear and the odds of the mission. ### [VII: A Slaughter Grim and Great](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/vii-a-slaughter-grim-and-great) Narrates the battle, fires many shots from the periphery, and threatens Alphonse to stop his teeth chattering. ### [VIII: Alphonse Explains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/viii-alphonse-explains) Narrates the aftermath, searches for Alphonse, and advises Mackenzie to leave the mission. ### [IX: Into the Unknown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/ix-into-the-unknown) Narrates the departure from the mission, gives advice and a cheque to Flossie, and reflects on the spirit of adventure. ### [X: The Rose of Fire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/x-the-rose-of-fire) Narrates the chapter; steers the canoe past the pillar of fire and later revives his companions. ### [The Frowning City](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xi-the-frowning-city) Humbly notes his own insignificant appearance despite his efforts to dress well. ### [XII: The Sister Queens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xii-the-sister-queens) Narrates the chapter, observing the queens and the political dynamics. ### [XIII: About the Zu-Vendi People](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xiii-about-the-zu-vendi-people) The narrator and compiler of the ethnographic account, providing observations and theories about the Zu-Vendi people. ### [XIV: The Flower Temple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xiv-the-flower-temple) Narrator; wakes after a long sleep and observes the city and temple. ### [XV: Sorais’s Song](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xv-sorais-s-song) Narrates the chapter; observes the dynamics between the characters and feels afraid of Sorais. ### [Before the Statue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xvi-before-the-statue) Witnesses the love scene between Curtis and Nyleptha, reflecting on the situation. ### [XVII: The Storm Breaks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xvii-the-storm-breaks) Observes the growing storm, advises Curtis, and reports Sorais's flight to Nyleptha, helping organize the loyalist response. ### [XVIII: War! Red War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xviii-war-red-war) Defends Good's actions, reflects on the danger of becoming a woman's tool, and witnesses the declaration of war. ### [XIX: A Strange Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xix-a-strange-wedding) Conducts the English marriage service and reflects on the bittersweet changes that marriage brings to friendship. ### [XX: The Battle of the Pass](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xx-the-battle-of-the-pass) Accompanies Sir Henry, commands the seven thousand horse between the chest and right wing, and reflects on the horror of the coming battle. ### [XXI: Away! Away!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xxi-away-away) Leads the desperate ride to warn Nyleptha, wounded but determined. ### [How Umslopogaas Held the Stair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xxii-how-umslopogaas-held-the-stair) Wounded and recovering; learns of the aftermath of the battle and Umslopogaas's death. ### [XXIII: I Have Spoken](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xxiii-i-have-spoken) Narrates the chapter; still recovering from his wounds, he attends the trial and later reflects on Curtis's coronation. ### [XXIV: By Another Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xxiv-by-another-hand) Died at dawn after writing the last chapter; his body was cremated in the Flower Temple furnace. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/endnotes) Provides numerous annotations throughout the endnotes, explaining Zu-Vendi customs, Zulu traditions, and other details. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters/allan_quatermain - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters