King Solomon’s Mines · Character

Allan Quatermain

A fifty-five-year-old elephant hunter and trader, self-described as timid and sick of adventure, who narrates the expedition with wry honesty and hard-won caution.

major

Also known as Quatermain, Mr. Quatermain, Hunter Quatermain, Macumazahn

First appearance: I Meet Sir Henry Curtis

As a major figure in King Solomon’s Mines, Allan Quatermain is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The narrator and author of the dedication, presenting his story to the readers.

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Quatermain has spent his life trading, hunting, and fighting in southern Africa, and he opens the book laid up in Durban with a lion-mauled leg and a pile of money he barely trusts. He agrees to lead Curtis and Good into the interior partly for the money and partly because he cannot resist a map, even though he insists he is too old for this sort of thing. His voice—practical, superstitious, self-deprecating, and deeply knowledgeable about the land—is the lens through which the whole adventure is filtered, and his judgment about people and terrain repeatedly saves the party.

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See Allan Quatermain in I Meet Sir Henry Curtis

Character Web

14 connections

A slice of how Allan Quatermain sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Other

Character groups

Expedition Members and Kukuana Royalty
Protagonist
Minor Expedition Casualties

+9 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of impending d…

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Relationships

Sir Henry Curtis
friendship · positive
Loyal friends and fellow hunters who share a deep mutual respect and trust. How this plays out →
Ignosi
friendship · positive
Sir Henry Curtis
friendship · positive
Loyal friends and fellow hunters who share a deep mutual respect and trust. How this plays out →
Ignosi
friendship · positive
Sir Henry Curtis
friendship · positive
Loyal friends and fellow hunters who share a deep mutual respect and trust. How this plays out →

Sir Henry Curtis
Loyal friends and fellow hunters who share a deep mutual respect and trust.
Ignosi
Allan Quatermain respects Ignosi and helps him as a trusted ally in the rebellion.
Sir Henry Curtis
Loyal friends and fellow hunters who share a deep mutual respect and trust.
Ignosi
Allan Quatermain respects Ignosi and helps him as a trusted ally in the rebellion.
Sir Henry Curtis
Loyal friends and fellow hunters who share a deep mutual respect and trust.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Allan Quatermain in I Meet Sir Henry Curtis

In the story

Allan Quatermain appears across 24 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Dedication
The narrator and author of the dedication, presenting his story to the readers.
Author's Note
Referenced as 'our old and departed friend' by the author, indicating his enduring legacy in the story.
King Solomon's Mines
Narrator and protagonist; agrees to lead the expedition to Solomon's Mines.
I Meet Sir Henry Curtis
The narrator and protagonist, a fifty-five-year-old hunter and trader, who is writing the story from Durban while recovering from a lion wound.
II: The Legend of Solomon’s Mines
Narrates the legend of Solomon's Mines and expresses caution about joining the expedition.
III: Umbopa Enters Our Service
Narrator; agrees to join the expedition after deliberation, setting conditions for payment and his son's support.
IV: An Elephant Hunt
Narrates the journey and the elephant hunt; reflects on the dangers and the loss of Khiva.
Our March Into the Desert
Narrates the chapter; organizes the camp, translates between Sir Henry and Umbopa, and expresses suspicion of Umbopa's knowledge.
VI: Water! Water!
Narrates the chapter; describes the sight of Sheba's Breasts, leads the search for water, and shoots a bustard for food.
VII: Solomon's Road
Takes the bone pen used by da Silvestra; delivers a threatening speech to Infadoos and Scragga; reflects on the dangers of exploration.
VIII: We Enter Kukuanaland
Narrates the journey and questions Infadoos about the history of the Kukuana people.
IX: Twala the King
Narrates the journey to Loo and the audience with King Twala; observes the landscape and the Three Witches mountains.
X: The Witch-Hunt
Narrates the chapter; questions Infadoos about Twala's cruelty and later observes the witch-hunt with horror.
XI: We Give a Sign
Narrates the chapter; speaks on behalf of the white men to Twala, declining offers of wives; restrains Good from intervening prematurely; proposes the eclipse as a sign to the chiefs.
Before the Battle
Equips himself lightly for mobility, wearing a mail shirt over his clothes and bare legs; acts as spokesperson in rejecting Twala's terms.
The Attack
Recovers from a blow to the head; participates in the war council and advises an immediate attack; accompanies Ignosi in the second regiment.
XIV: The Last Stand of the Greys
Observes the battle, feels a rare martial ardour, and worries for Sir Henry's safety.
Good Falls Sick
Exhausted and bruised, with a violent headache from a blow; suffers from an old lion wound; reflects on the horrors of battle and the night's wailing.
XVI: The Place of Death
Narrates the chapter; identifies the diamond mine pit and speculates on the origins of the Colossi.
XVII: Solomon’s Treasure Chamber
Narrates the chapter; trembles with excitement as the treasure chamber is opened; picks up diamonds and declares them the richest men in the world.
XVIII: We Abandon Hope
Narrates the ordeal, initially despairing but ultimately assisting in the escape effort.
XIX: Ignosi's Farewell
Narrates the farewell; reflects on the treasure and the impossibility of returning to the chamber; fills his pockets with diamonds before leaving.
Found
Narrator who discovers George Curtis's hut and later receives Sir Henry's letter.
Endnotes
Referenced as the author of the main narrative; his observations and references are corrected and annotated by the editor.

Chapter companion notes

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See Allan Quatermain in I Meet Sir Henry Curtis

See Allan Quatermain in Dedication