The River of Darkness; Or, Under Africa

A young officer carrying secret despatches uncovers a plot to seize a coastal town, triggering an armed uprising that results in capture and enslavement of several companions. Separated and confined in a brutal slave prison, they endure betrayals, hunger and violence before attempting daring escapes. The story follows their flight through streets and over walls, a harrowing voyage along an underground river, a perilous expedition to a desolate isle, and episodes of desperate fighting and narrow rescues. Reunions, sacrifices and a final confrontation resolve the immediate threat and conclude the protagonists’ long struggle against hostile forces and harsh natural hazards.