Congo

The novel begins in Africa with Ward and Casement working in the Congo. They arrange porters to carry loads through the jungle where the only means of travel is by foot. Ward hires Mbatchi who is later taken on by Casement when Ward decides to join the Emin Pasha Relief Expedition. Ward’s experiences with Stanley’s expedition cause him to be involved in a scandal that ruins his good name for a time, forcing him to write a book about Africa and travel the lecture circuit rather than returning to his old job.

Casement witnesses the victimization of the Congolese people in the English and Belgian pursuit of ivory and palm oil. He is bothered by the way the natives are treated and is not well liked among the English working in the area because he is too lenient with the natives. He eventually decides to work...