H. Rider Haggard 
King Solomon’s Mines 

The well-known book King Solomon’s Mines (1885) was written by English adventurer and fabulist Sir H. Rider Haggard. Adventurer and white hunter Allan Quatermain live in Durban in what is now South Africa. Aristocrat Sir Henry Curtis and his buddy Captain Good approach him and ask for his assistance in locating Sir Henry’s brother. They bring a mystery native with them by the name of Umbopa who resembles a more regal, attractive, and well-spoken porter than others.

They soon come upon a group of Kukuana warriors who are just ready to slay them when Captain Good fumbles with his dentures in nervousness. They identify as ‘white men from the stars’—sorcerer-gods—to protect themselves and are forced to demonstrate their deity.

She takes them to a treasure room hidden deep beneath a mountain that is stocked with gold, gems, and ivory. Then, as they are gazing at the riches, she cunningly slips away and activates a hidden mechanism that shuts the huge stone door to the pit. They discover an escape route after a few depressing days spent locked in the dark chamber, which is enough to make them wealthy. A distraught Ignosi tells them they must go back home to live with their own people and stops them.