dies, such as the massacre of the
true-hearted Retief and his companions at the hands of the Zulu king,
Dingaan.

But you have read the tale and know its substance. What, then, remains
for me to say? Only that in memory of long-past days I dedicate it to
you whose image ever springs to mind when I strive to picture an English
gentleman as he should be. Your kindness I never shall forget; in memory
of it, I offer you this book.

Ever sincerely yours,

H. RIDER HAGGARD.

To Sir Henry Bulwer, G.C.M.G.

PREFACE

The Author hopes that the reader may find some historical interest in
the tale set out in these pages of the massacre of the Boer general,
Retief, and his companions at the hands of the Zulu king, Dingaan.
Save for some added circumstances, he believes it to be accurate in its
details.

The same may be said of the account given of the hideous sufferings of
the trek-Boers who wandered into the fever veld, there to perish in the
neighbourhood of Delagoa Bay. Of these sufferings, especially those that
were endured by Triechard and his companions, a few brief contemporary
records still exist, buried in scarce works of reference. It may be
mentioned, also, that it was a common belief among the Boers of that
generation that the cruel death of Retief and his companions, and other
misfortunes which befell them, were due to the treacherous plottings of
an Englishman, or of Englishmen, with the despot, Dingaan.

EDITOR'S NOTE

The following extract explains how the manuscript of "Marie," and with
it some others, one of which is named "Child of Storm," came into the
hands of the Editor.

It is from a letter, dated January 17th, 1909, and written by Mr.
George Curtis, the brother of Sir Henry Curtis, Bart., who, it will
be remembered, was one of the late Mr. Allan Quatermain's friends and
companions in adventure when he discovered King Solomon's Mines, and who
afterwards disappeared with him in Central Africa.

This extract runs as follows:--

"You may recall that our mutual and dear friend, old Allan Quatermain,
left me the sole executor of his will, which he signed before he set
out with my brother Henry for Zuvendis, where he was killed. The Court,
however, not being satisfied that there was any legal proof of his
death, invested the capital funds in trustee securities, and by my
advice let his place in Yorkshire to a tenant who has remained in
occupation of it during the last two decades. No