BIGGLES AND THE BLACK RAIDER
Book First Published on 5th March 1953 - 192 pages
I believe this Biggles book was never serialised elsewhere. If anybody knows differently then please E-MAIL ME
The first edition dust jacket showing the original price of 7
shillings and 6 pence
CHAPTERS
Click on any chapter for a summary of the events in that chapter or
see the general story summary below
VI AN ILLUMINATING DISCOVERY
Central Africa is being plagued
by attacks by an African man called Cetezulu and known as 'The Black Elephant'.
Air Commodore Raymond sends Biggles and Co. to use their aeroplanes in the hunt
to find him. Taking three planes with them, the team lose one when Ginger is
caught in a storm, whilst short of fuel, and has to crash land. However, this
leads to the unexpected discovery of Cetezulu's secret method of travelling
through Central Africa unseen. The team utilises the help of a Masai warrior
called Mishu, who was the gun bearer for a Game Warden murdered by Cetezulu.
Mishu is saved by Biggles from being murdered by local tribesmen who are also
involved in poaching. With the help of Lieutenant Haynes and some soldiers of
the King's African Rifles, Cetezulu and his gang are eventually traced to a
hiding place in long elephant grass. Here they have hidden almost 500 head of
cattle, stolen on various raids. Biggles and Algy use the two remaining
aircraft to frighten and stampede the cattle, allowing the soldiers to capture
the survivors. Cetezulu pays for his crimes when he meets Mishu, who wants to
avenge the death of his employer. The dust cover of the book shows Ginger
taking off over some lions, (who unexpectedly lie in his path), whilst he tries
to escape from some of Cetezulu's followers.
Click here to see the story illustrations from this book
Biggles and the Black Raider
Subtitle - Another adventure of Air-Detective Bigglesworth and
his Air Police
Publication Details - published by Hodder & Stoughton
Frontispiece
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The Childrens Book Club edition reprint click on the above
picture to find out more details
Proof Copy