Captured by Apes; or, How Philip Garland Became King of Apeland

"Captured by Apes; or, How Philip Garland Became King of Apeland" by Harry Prentice is a fictional adventure tale written in the late 19th century. The story follows a young animal dealer, Philip Garland, who inherits his father's business of training and selling wild animals, particularly monkeys. As he navigates his career, a series of events leads him into a fantastical world where he encounters a myriad of challenges with both the animal kingdom and human-like apes. The opening of the narrative introduces Philip as a dedicated and lonely young man taking over his father’s animal trading business, with a focus on the monkey family. He develops a unique bond with the creatures he trains, particularly two chimpanzees, Ben Bolt and Sweet Alice, and two ferocious baboons, Goliah and Magog. After a devastating fire caused by Magog leaves him without a business, Philip decides to venture into the wilds of the Malay Archipelago in search of exotic animals. His journey quickly spirals into chaos when he loses everything due to treachery and danger, culminating in his arrival on an island where he finds himself amidst a peculiar society of intelligent, humanoid apes, led by Goliah. This sets the stage for an exploration of the relationship between humans and animals, packed with adventure, intrigue, and a quest for survival.