The Keepers of the Treasure
The narrative unfolds in a historical context where Portuguese adventurers, long ago, buried treasure in the N'gombi country, leading to a series of quests by various adventurers and local chiefs to uncover it. The treasure, hidden by the original defenders during a battle, becomes the subject of legend, with three hereditary guardians known as The Keepers of the Treasure Place, who possess knowledge of its location but refuse to disclose it until their deaths. The story introduces Lieutenant Tibbetts and Captain Hamilton, who engage in humorous banter about treasure hunting, while a widow named N'saki, who has lost three husbands, seeks to marry the chief M'gama, believing he knows the treasure's whereabouts. N'saki's beauty and cunning lead her to plot against M'gama, hoping to extract the treasure's secret. Two men, Fendi and Seluki, arrive from Senegal, drawn by tales of the treasure. They navigate through the Ochori country, where they encounter Bosambo, a local chief. Fendi, a street-smart character with a criminal background, is intrigued by the potential wealth. Seluki, who claims to be a benefactor, presents a bag of silver to Bosambo, gaining his favor. As they integrate into the local culture, Fendi and Seluki learn about the treasure's guardianship and the dangers surrounding it. N'saki, aware of their intentions, approaches Fendi, revealing her knowledge of M'gama and the treasure. The two men, driven by greed, plan to confront the guardians and extract the treasure's location through coercion. The plot thickens as Fendi and Seluki capture M'gama and the two old keepers, using threats to extract information. Their methods lead to the death of one keeper, while the others remain silent. The tension escalates as Fendi's violent tendencies surface, and he decides to eliminate N'saki and her lover, who have become liabilities. After a series of violent confrontations, Fendi and Seluki finally uncover the treasure, which consists of valuable artifacts and gold coins. However, their triumph is short-lived. N'saki, having learned of their actions, turns against them, leading to a deadly confrontation. Fendi's greed blinds him to the dangers posed by N'saki and her lover, resulting in betrayal and violence. The climax reveals the consequences of their greed, as Fendi and Seluki meet their demise, leaving N'saki to escape with the treasure. The story concludes with a sense of irony, as the treasure, once sought after by many, becomes a source of death and betrayal, highlighting the destructive nature of greed and ambition. The narrative encapsulates themes of betrayal, the consequences of greed, and the cyclical nature of violence in the pursuit of wealth.
By Edgar wallace · First published 1925 · Genre: Adventure, Mystery, Thriller · 4,450 words
First lines
YEARS and years ago, cala cala as the saying is, when the Portuguese were in the land, came many canoes along the great river. In those days there was a river that ran through the N'gombi country -- it is now an overgrown depression in the forest. Whence came this expedition nobody knew. The men camped on the edge of the Ochori country and made a fortification with the help of forced labour. Then came other men in pursuit, and there was a great battle of swords and spears, and in the end the attackers succeeded. Every defender was put to the sword, but when the victorious captain came to look for the ten great boxes which the fugitives had brought with them they were not to be found. They had been buried by somebody -- legend gave credit to a score of somebodies.
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The Keepers of the Treasure is listed on Textopian as a novel by Edgar wallace, dated 1925 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Edgar wallace
- Date: 1925 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Mystery, Thriller, Historical Fiction, Drama
- Length: 4,450 words
- Structure: 1 section, 115 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Genres
- Adventure — The plot revolves around a treasure hunt, featuring exploration, danger, and the pursuit of wealth.
- Mystery — The story includes elements of hidden treasure, secrets, and the unknown, creating suspense around the treasure's location.
- Thriller — The narrative contains tension and conflict, particularly with the violent encounters and the stakes involved in the treasure hunt.
- Historical Fiction — The setting and context reflect historical elements related to colonialism and the interactions between different cultures.
Tags
mystery · adventure · treasure · crime · suspense · detective · secrets · betrayal · intrigue · action · historical · thriller