Smith and the Pharaohs and Other Stories

Ten tales of history, mystery and adventure from the author of King Solomon's Mines, including four exciting Allan Quatermain stories...

Smith and the Pharaohs: James Smith leads a very ordinary life until he falls in love with an image of an Egyptian queen in the British Museum, and becomes obsessed with ancient Egyptian history. While on an excavating trip, he comes across a lost tomb-and discovers the resting place of Ma-Mee, the very queen that so captivated him in London.

The Blue Curtains: John Peritt-nicknamed "Bottles"-lost his true love to another man while serving in South Africa. Now he is back in England and discovers that his lost love has become a widow. Is it too much to hope that she has remained interested all these years?

Little Flower: The Reverend Bull is sent with his wife and daughter-whom the natives call "Little Flower"-to convert a tribe of Zulus to Christianity. But Bull's obstinacy is no match for Menzi, the local witch-doctor.

Only a Dream: His first wife died, and he is about to be re-married. But that night, before the wedding, his first wife makes him a ghostly gift.

Barbara Who Came Back: Barbara and Anthony fall in love, marry and eventually have a son-a son who is as destructive and cruel as they are kind and loving.

Magepa the Buck: One of the many African stories of Allan Quatermain, this one concerns a brave Zulu who seeks to save the last of his tribe.

Long Odds (The Spring of a Lion): Quatermain attempts to take revenge on a huge male lion who attacks his camp.

Hunter Quatermain's Story: Quatermain and his two trusted companions, having lost their supply wagon to an unfortunate fire, head off on foot for the nearest town. But first they must fend off a lion and do battle with a bull buffalo.

A Tale of Three Lions: Quatermain and his son Harry, having successfully mined a large number of gold nuggets, unintentionally make camp where a group of lions hold court.

The Mahatma and the Hare: A man has a curious dream in which he becomes the Mahatma overserving the souls who have left the physical world for the spiritual realm. While there, he encounters a hare, and learns what it is to be the hunted instead of the hunter.