La Costa d'Avorio

by Emilio Salgari

"La Costa d''Avorio" by Emilio Salgari is an adventure novel written in the late 19th century. It centers on Alfredo Lusarno, a Sicilian hunter-planter on the Ivory Coast, and his companion Antao as they collide with African wildlife and the feared warriors of Dahomey after the kidnapping of Alfredo’s young brother. The tale promises jungle and river perils, treachery, and a personal vendetta with the Dahomey cabecero Kalani and his Amazons. The opening of the novel finds Alfredo and Antao hunting hippopotami on the Ousme when a hidden watcher and distant gunshots hint at danger near Alfredo’s farm. After killing a charging hippo, they spot a spy, use decoy “bodies” to mislead pursuers, and hurry into the forest, where Alfredo slays a leopard to save a wounded young Amazon of Dahomey. She admits her party was sent to seize Alfredo and to attack his farm under Kalani’s orders. Racing back, they meet a servant who confirms the farm has been sacked and burned and that Alfredo’s brother Bruno has been abducted. A brief backstory reveals Kalani’s hatred and rise to power, prompting Alfredo to vow a rescue and seek aid from King Tofa. At dawn they return to the injured Amazon, who agrees to follow them, as they treat her wounds and prepare their next move.