# Old Quatermain — Maiwa’s Revenge character guide

> Old Quatermain in Maiwa’s Revenge by H. Rider Haggard.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Quatermain, Allan Quatermain, old Allan, Mr. Quatermain

**First appearance:** 0001-maiwa-s-revenge

## Snapshot

A veteran elephant-hunter and narrator who joins the campaign against Wambe, openly admitting that the ivory stockade is his real motive.

## Who they are

Quatermain frames his own heroism with cheerful cynicism, insisting he came for the tusks rather than for the captive Every, yet he risks his life repeatedly for both. His experience with African warfare and his blunt, self-deprecating voice shape how the reader sees the whole campaign, from Nala's diplomacy to the assault on the kraal. He is the lens through which Wambe's cruelty and Maiwa's vengeance are both measured and judged.

## Relationships

### [Captain Good](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/maiwa_s_revenge_se/characters/captain_good)

_friendship_

Captain Good and Old Quatermain are close friends and fellow adventurers who share many hunting and fighting exploits.

### [Sir Henry Curtis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/maiwa_s_revenge_se/characters/sir_henry_curtis)

_friendship_

Old Quatermain and Sir Henry Curtis are steadfast friends and fellow adventurers who trust each other completely.

### [Jeffries](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/maiwa_s_revenge_se/characters/jeffries)

_professional_

Jeffries is a fellow hunter and associate of Old Quatermain, working together on expeditions.

### [Gobo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/maiwa_s_revenge_se/characters/gobo)

_professional_

Gobo serves as a reliable native helper and guide for Old Quatermain.

### [Captain Good](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/maiwa_s_revenge_se/characters/captain_good)

_friendship_

Captain Good and Old Quatermain are close friends and fellow adventurers who share many hunting and fighting exploits.

## In the story

### [Maiwa's Revenge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/maiwa_s_revenge_se/chapters/maiwa-s-revenge)

Listens to Maiwa's account and helps devise the plan of campaign.

### [Gobo Strikes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/maiwa_s_revenge_se/chapters/i-gobo-strikes)

Narrates his hunting expedition and demonstrates his shooting skill.

### [II: A Morning’s Sport](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/maiwa_s_revenge_se/chapters/ii-a-morning-s-sport)

Narrator and hunter; shoots a buffalo and a rhinoceros.

### [III: The First Round](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/maiwa_s_revenge_se/chapters/iii-the-first-round)

The narrator and hunter who devises the plan to shoot the elephants from a baobab tree.

### [IV: The Last Round](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/maiwa_s_revenge_se/chapters/iv-the-last-round)

Narrator and hunter; wakes sore but determined, tracks and attacks the three elephants single-handedly.

### [V: The Message of Maiwa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/maiwa_s_revenge_se/chapters/v-the-message-of-maiwa)

Narrates the chapter; supervises the butchering of elephants, receives Maiwa's message, and leads the escape up the cliff.

### [VI: The Plan of Campaign](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/maiwa_s_revenge_se/chapters/vi-the-plan-of-campaign)

Devises the plan of campaign, negotiates with Nala, and leads the decoy group toward Wambe's kraal.

### [VII: The Attack](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/maiwa_s_revenge_se/chapters/vii-the-attack)

Narrates the battle, commands the defense of the koppie, and later speaks with Nala and Maiwa after the fight.

### [VIII: Maiwa Is Avenged](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/maiwa_s_revenge_se/chapters/viii-maiwa-is-avenged)

Claims the ivory stockade, supervises its removal, and reflects on the expedition's outcome.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/maiwa_s_revenge_se/chapters/endnotes)

Referenced as the storyteller whose hunting incident is defended by the Editor.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/maiwa_s_revenge_se/characters/old_quatermain
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/maiwa_s_revenge_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/maiwa_s_revenge_se/characters