AFRICAN ADVENTURE

Euwan Glencarnock came from a reasonably well to do family and was serving an apprenticeship in medicine and surgery with an outstanding doctor in Edinburgh. Shortly before completing his three years in training he received word that the solicitor who had handled his father’s estate for his widowed mother had embezzled virtually the entire estate before committing suicide. His mother was left practically penniless for her old age.
His mentor said that Euwan, though extremely well trained, was not completely qualified to practice medicine and surgery in Scotland. He suggested that Euwan go to Natal near the southern tip of Africa. While part of the British Empire it was still under populated (by white people) and should offer a great opportunity for Euwan to develop a rewarding practice. Soon Euwan announced that he would work for his passage as an ordinary seaman on a ship for the princely sum of one shilling per month. His friend and mentor provided Euwan with a medical kit fully stocked with medicines and instruments, and instructed Euwan in how to use hypnosis in treating patients, a very valuable skill during his adventures in Africa.
Soon after leaving port a sailor fell to the deck from the main topmast and was very severely injured. Euwan treated him to the best of his ability and used hypnosis to convince the man that he would make a full recovery, which he did in record time. The Captain changed Euwan’s status from seaman to ship’s surgeon which allowed him to mingle with the passengers.
He made friends with a rather eccentric and extremely wealthy young man named (Sir) Burt Glenallen who planned a long hunting safari in South Africa. He urged Euwan to join him as the (well paid) safari surgeon but Euwan thought it wrong to profit from their friendship. Burt finally convinced him otherwise and they headed into the veld with several ox powered wagons, and a large (and mysteriously increasing) retinue of natives.
They had several exciting (and very hazardous) encounters with very dangerous game animals, and eventually stopped at a large tribal village for rest and recuperation. Here Euwan gained much “face” after curing a dying native and the two adventurers became friends with the King, who was facing a potential revolt by several disenchanted chiefs. Using hypnosis Euwan identified the guilty culprits which the King dealt with very wisely.
As a reward for their help, the King described how to find an area rich in rubies, but while collecting the valuable stones they stumbled onto a rich source of diamonds which made Euwan extremely wealthy. Burt had no need to burden himself with them but helped Euwan collect and package them.
They eventually entered the lands of the “lost white tribe,” which Burt discovered spoke a sort of Hebrew which he had studied at Cambridge (or was it Oxford? Most certainly not Edinburgh for he was a southern barbarian.) They were about to be attacked by a coalition of surrounding black tribes and the pair lent their expertise for the defense. Burt designed handy sailing boats for use on the lake, and he and Euwan together developed a plan of staged resistance by which the troops would fight as long as possible against overwhelming odds then retreat to prepared positions. They also developed traps at mountain passes.
Victorious, Burt married the Queen (a very displaced Scotswoman) and thus became the ruling King. Euwan prepared to depart for home alone to care for his mother. (But would he actually be allowed to depart alone? You see, a certain young lady…but all in good time.)
This is a very satisfying classic tale of action, adventure, and, of course, romance.