A Cambridge University professor, Horace Holly, and his ward, Leo Vincey, together with their servant, Job, travel to Africa. They follow instructions on the "Sherd of Amenartas" left to Vincey by his father and travel to Africa where they are shipwrecked on the eastern shore of Central Africa. The trio survive together with an Arab, Mahomed, and journey into an unexplored part of the African interior, where they discover the lost kingdom of Kor, inhabited by the primitive Amahagger people. The adventurers learn that the natives are ruled by a fearsome white queen, who is worshiped as Hiya or "She-who-must-be-obeyed." The Amahagger are curious about the white-skinned interlopers; She had warned them of their coming."