Allan Quatermain finds a village in the middle of the Dark Continent ruled by a huge, pale man with a strange knowledge of future events.

Allan Quatermain, accompanied by the Hottentot Hans, is journeying through the East Coast of Africa when he encounters a village ruled by a man called Kaneke.

Shortly before they leave on their expedition, the Arabs ruled by Kaneke turn against him and wish to overthrow and execute him: Allan and Hans save him by night.

The white man triumphs in the ensuing hand-to-hand fight, making Kaneke swear on pain of death to relinquish his role as future husband of the Shadow.

Meanwhile Allan and Hans become increasingly aware of the eeriness of the Dabanda people and their strange customs and powers, particularly after they spend a night in the forest surrounding the holy lake.