At the Queen's Mercy

"At the Queen's Mercy" by Mabel Fuller Blodgett is a novel written in the late 19th century. Set in the African interior, the story follows John Dering and his companion Gaston Lestrade as they face dangerous adventures, including encounters with hostile tribes, while seeking a hidden city that holds wealth and possibly a captive woman named Astolba. The plot weaves themes of bravery, deception, and the struggles between civilization and savagery, highlighted by the alluring yet dangerous influence of the titular queen. The opening of the novel establishes a tense atmosphere as the main characters, Dering and Lestrade, find themselves stranded and beset by enemies in the wilderness after a failed trading expedition. They are quickly embroiled in a life-threatening situation as they assist a wounded man named Sagamoso, who divulges secrets of a hidden treasure and a woman captive. This man’s dying request spurs the adventurers into action, promising not just the thrill of discovery but the potential for great peril against the backdrop of a menacing jungle. The chapter sets the stage for an epic journey filled with danger and intrigue as they embark on a quest that turns out to be fraught with both moral dilemmas and the raw beauty of the untamed land.