In this book, Henty explores the wars of the British empire in Africa. His sympathies may be entirely with the English (as is our young protagonist), but his eye for historical detail and his ability to weave a personal plot into the real events of history make this an educational and still engaging read. Or, in the author's own words: After having written upwards of fifty records of almost unbroken success to the British arms in almost all parts of the world, I have found it painful to describe these two campaigns in which we suffered defeat. I trust, however, that this story will prove of great interest to the reader because of the characteristic English pluck and daring of its hero. - Summary by redrun and the author