We begin with young (age 9-ish) Allan at home in England meeting young Stella; then, Stella's mother abandons her husband (more than a whiff of scandal), leaving him a broken man who decamps with his daughter for Africa with the intention of living as far away from "civilized" men as possible. Then, a few years later, Allan's mother and three brothers all succumb to ... well, some common disease or other; and Allan & his father find themselves en route to Africa. Fast-forward another 10-15 years and Allan, himself newly orphaned, finds himself on a trek through the bush during which he encounters hostile Zulus and (surprise!) Stella & her father, now living, as promised, far, far away from civilization. (And, because Quatermain is who he is, there's also a selection of African wildlife to run in front of his guns.)