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

I – DARK DEEDS

II – PLANS AND PREPARATIONS

III – A CLOSE THING

IV – TRICKED

V – VISIBILITY ZERO

VI – AN ILLUMINATING DISCOVERY

VII – A BUSY MORNING

VIII – DEATH INTERVENES

IX – WHEELS WITHIN WHEELS

X – FOOTPRINTS TELL A TALE

XI – A SOLDIER TAKES A HAND

XII – THE GREAT STAMPEDE

 

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 “Children’s Book Club” edition reprint – click on the above picture to find out more details

 

Proof Copy

 

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