Sir H Rider Haggard

The Wizard Sir H Rider Haggard

The novel begins on a Sunday afternoon in summer at a church in the Midland county called Busscombe. Reverend Thomas Owen had a preacher for the day called a "Deputation," who was sent to arouse the indifferent to the duty of converting the savage tribes by collecting money. As the "Deputation" told about his experience with a south central African tribe called the "Sons of Fire," Reverence Owen became very interested in the mission to convert this tribe of Amasuka and converting them. Reverend Owen ultimately decides to take on this task and gives his old job to the "Deputation." Two years go by as Reverend Owen lives in a hut outside of the tribe's town and he sends his newly converted native of the tribe, John, to send a message to King Umsuka which is that Reverend Owen wants to learn their language so that he can administer the word of God to them. After being warned that the People of Fire have their faith too, John informs Rev. Owen that if he cannot perform the magic they want him to perform, he will be killed. Reverend Owen learns of Hokosa and Hafela's plot to kill the king with poison in order to gain the throne through a vision.