Chapters 8-9 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 8. Gentleman Explorer. Although Elsmore took credit for the discovery of the valley that became known as Shangri-La, in truth another explorer had found it several years before him. Richard Archbold, the young, directionless grandson of a wealthy oil executive, became interested in biological research. Archbold funded several expeditions into New Guinea and discovered the valley during one of these from his plane. Archbold sent two exploration teams, consisting of Dutch soldiers and others into the valley. The two teams were to start from opposite ends of the valley and meet approximately in the middle. The two teams found the natives to be relatively friendly. However, there were times when the natives would prevent the teams from leaving their villages by blocking their paths with sticks, stones, and their own bodies. The explorers thought this was because the natives...