I had previously reviewed S.P. Meek‘s (1894-1972) lost-world novel The Drums of Tapajos. It first appeared in Amazing Stories and later reprinted in hardback. I got the reprint from Armchair Fiction as part of their “lost-world/lost-race” series.
Drums is a tale of a lost super-science city founded by Hebrew-speaking Trojans, along with Atlanteans, and re-discovered by a quartet of adventurers in the deep wilds of Brazil.
The quartet find a city that is divided between an upper-class of Trojans (who may be the lost tribes of Israel), who rule over a large group of Atlantians, who are more uncivilized and kept in line with false human sacrifice. The upper class is organized like the Freemasons, and as all the quartet are masons, they are welcomed. But there is growing strife within the city. The four decide to leave, but one returns for the girl he loves, and the other three return to the U.S.
The scientist of the group is able to establish communication with the city two years later, and the other two decided to return with needed supplies. What happens since they left is the basis for the Drums sequel to Troyana, now reprinted by Armchair Fiction as part of their “lost-world/lost-race” series.
Troyana was serialized in Amazing Stories over three issues in 1932, then reprinted in hardcover by Avalon Books in 1961. The covers from these are on the backcover of this edition from Armchair Fiction. They used a cover from another work for this edition, but it is fitting. It’s more action-oriented. We also get the artwork from those Amazing Stories issues as well, which makes this a pretty good reprint.
The framing story for this adventure is from William Murdock, who is working in the area. He is summoned by Troyana to escort one of the three adventures who are returning to civilization, Ray Willis. He no longer remembers his adventures in Troyana, but in a fever, tells his tale to Murdock who records it. Interestingly, Murdock knew three of them from the military, and is also a Freemason, which may be why he was summoned.
We then learn what happened to Frank Nankivell, who had stayed to save Estha, the granddaughter of one of the upper-class Troyans. For a good deal of the novel, we see Frank’s struggle to return and his help against the rebellion being led by a rogue upper-class Trojanian who is leading the Atlantian under class. This work includes awakening several ancient Atlantean upper class from the past, which turns out to be a disaster for the Troyans.
It is much later in the story when all seems lost as the Troyans must fight against the rebels as well as the new threat from the Atlantean nobles that Bob Mariston and Ray return with those needed supplies. At this point, they are able to help put an end to the rebellion and the threat of the Atlanteans and help save Troyana from destruction.
You need to read this to find out how they succeed and what fate awaits Frank and Bob, as they stay.
This is another good work in this series and I’m glad Armchair Fiction reprinted it. I do like the extras they’ve added to this edition, and hope they continue to do so. This really raises the bar for their reprints.
