Slave Safari

James Forsythe Lippincott, an American amateur archaeologist in Busati, tortures a red-haired captive he recognizes as his cousin Cynthia Forsythe, then is killed by an African speaker later identified as William Forsythe Butler, who seeks revenge for the Loni. Walla, his porter, escapes to Lagos and sells information that alerts the American government and CURE. The Lippincott Foundation tries to recruit Remo Mueller, but Remo refuses; Harold W. Smith then briefs him to find Lippincott, rescue wealthy American women abducted to Busati, and investigate President General Dada “Big Daddy” Obode. Obode fears a Loni legend about East and West redeemers and has expelled foreigners, while his American-born chief of staff William Forsythe Butler believes he can fulfill the prophecy.

Butler’s history as football player Willie Butler, Peace Corps worker and CIA operative leads him to claim Loni ancestry and rationalize kidnapping women as repayment for slavery. He abducts Hillary Butler, stages a decoy death using Thelma, and ships Hillary to Busati. Remo and Chiun reach the Loni under an ancient Sinanju contract. Princess Saffah tells them the legend calls for Chiun to purify the Loni in fire and for Remo, a man who once died, to confront the enslaver. With Butler’s false help, Remo and Chiun raid the iron-gated house, rescue Hillary and find three women so severely abused that Remo ends their suffering.

Obode marches on the Loni, but his camp is devastated in a nighttime attack and he is summoned to the village. Saffah exposes Butler as a traitor. Chiun defeats Obode, while Hillary recognizes Butler’s distinctive ring; Remo kills Butler after he admits his revenge scheme. In the fire rite, Obode risks his life to save Chiun from the coals, showing the Loni that courage is not limited to their own people. Chiun declares the House of Sinanju’s debt paid, urges Obode to include the Loni in government, and rejects rule by prophecy alone. Remo, Chiun and Hillary leave for America with a Loni escort; Saffah tells Remo “I love you,” and Chiun reveals his own ancestor left the Loni to work for the Hausa for greater pay.