# Alphonse — Allan Quatermain character guide > Alphonse in Allan Quatermain by H. Rider Haggard. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** IV Alphonse, Unfortunately Alphonse, poor Alphonse, the wretched Alphonse, Poor Alphonse **First appearance:** 0007-iv-alphonse-and-his-annette ## Snapshot A plump, excitable French cook whose pride, terror, and devotion to his Annette make him the expedition's most human and most comic companion. ## Who they are Alphonse joins the journey less from courage than from necessity — a small indiscretion has made France unwelcome, and the wilds of Africa seem the lesser peril. He fusses over meals, panics at danger, and dreams of returning rich enough to marry his Annette. Yet his loyalty to Quatermain is genuine, and his presence reminds the reader that not every man on a great adventure is a hero by temperament. ## Relationships ### [Umslopogaas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters/umslopogaas) _friendship_ Alphonse, the comic French cook, and Umslopogaas, the fierce Zulu warrior, form an unlikely but affectionate friendship. ### [Sir Henry Curtis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters/sir_henry_curtis) _professional_ Alphonse serves as Sir Henry Curtis's cook and personal attendant, with a respectful but comedic dynamic. ### [Captain Good](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters/captain_good) _friendship_ Alphonse and Captain Good share a lighthearted friendship, often bickering humorously but remaining loyal companions. ### [Macumazahn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters/macumazahn) _professional_ Alphonse serves as Allan Quatermain's cook, with a respectful but occasionally exasperating servant-master relationship. ### [Macumazahn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters/macumazahn) _professional_ Alphonse serves as Allan Quatermain's cook, with a respectful but occasionally exasperating servant-master relationship. ### [Umslopogaas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters/umslopogaas) _friendship_ Alphonse, the comic French cook, and Umslopogaas, the fierce Zulu warrior, form an unlikely but affectionate friendship. ### [Captain Good](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters/captain_good) _friendship_ Alphonse and Captain Good share a lighthearted friendship, often bickering humorously but remaining loyal companions. ### [Sir Henry Curtis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters/sir_henry_curtis) _professional_ Alphonse serves as Sir Henry Curtis's cook and personal attendant, with a respectful but comedic dynamic. ## In the story ### [IV: Alphonse and His Annette](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/iv-alphonse-and-his-annette) Tells his life story: his love for Annette, conscription, desertion, accidental killing of his cousin, flight to Africa, and arrival at the mission station. ### [V: Umslopogaas Makes a Promise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/v-umslopogaas-makes-a-promise) Observes Umslopogaas sharpening his axe with fear and fascination, calls him a monster. ### [VI: The Night Wears On](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/vi-the-night-wears-on) Present during the gathering, looking exceedingly uncomfortable. ### [VII: A Slaughter Grim and Great](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/vii-a-slaughter-grim-and-great) Terrified during the approach, his chattering teeth nearly betray the party; he is silenced by Quatermain. ### [VIII: Alphonse Explains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/viii-alphonse-explains) Revealed as an arrant coward; hides in a tree during the battle and panics when a Masai attacks, but is unharmed. ### [IX: Into the Unknown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/ix-into-the-unknown) Joins the expedition out of fear of extradition to France; offers his services as a cook and is accepted. ### [X: The Rose of Fire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/x-the-rose-of-fire) Howls in terror throughout the ordeal; is reassured with a paddle and threatened into silence. ### [The Frowning City](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xi-the-frowning-city) Helps Good with his grooming and expresses delight at his appearance, comparing him to his heroic grandfather. ### [XIV: The Flower Temple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xiv-the-flower-temple) Present with the group; also warned to step back. ### [XV: Sorais’s Song](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xv-sorais-s-song) Mentioned as looking ludicrous in native dress. ### [XVII: The Storm Breaks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xvii-the-storm-breaks) Mentioned as being aggrieved that dinner was spoiled due to the late return of the party. ### [XVIII: War! Red War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xviii-war-red-war) Comically punished by Umslopogaas by being thrust into a thorn bush. ### [XIX: A Strange Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xix-a-strange-wedding) Captured by Sorais's forces while wandering; likely to be used as a decoy for Captain Good. ### [How Umslopogaas Held the Stair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xxii-how-umslopogaas-held-the-stair) Mentions that he heard the enemy approaching; assists in the defense preparations. ### [XXIII: I Have Spoken](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xxiii-i-have-spoken) Helps Quatermain to the trial; Sorais mentions his earlier betrayal of her plans. ### [XXIV: By Another Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xxiv-by-another-hand) Volunteers to carry the manuscript and letters to England; weary of Zu-Vendis and mocked for his cowardice in the great battle. ### [Note by George Curtis Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/note-by-george-curtis-esq) The little Frenchman who likely posted the manuscript; his whereabouts and fate are unknown. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/endnotes) Referenced in a note about a prayer he uttered during a perilous situation, as recorded by Sir Henry Curtis. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters/alphonse - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters