In Desert and Wilderness - Characters

Characters

Although the novel is fictional (apart from the historical events), the plot was inspired by real life events. A Polish boy was indeed kidnapped at the time but has never been found. Nel's character was inspired by the daughter of Sienkiewicz's friend.

• Nel Rawlison - 8-year old English girl. She is very pretty and sweet and although at the beginning of the novel she seems to be timid and shy, later on she shows that she can be courageous and stubborn. She treats Staś with respect and obedience, and often looks up for him.
• Stanisław Tarkowski (dim. Staś) - a 14-year old Polish boy. At the beginning of the novel he seems to be a little bit scornful and bigheaded. However, as the dramatic events develop, it is revealed that Staś is extremely chivalrous and willing to sacrifice his own life in order to save Nel whom he loves like his own sister. The girl is the only creature he will listen to and cares for.
• Kali - African boy, Staś'es servant who quickly becomes his friend. He faithfully serves his master and helps him to get going through the dangers of Africa. Kali became popular when a Polish colloquial saying about double standard was coined around the so-called Kali's morality: If somebody takes Kali's cow, it's a bad deed. If Kali takes somebody's cow, it's a good deed.
• Mea - African girl from Dinka tribe, Nel's servant. Shy and quiet, she loves her little mistress and protects her from dangers.
• Chamis - one of kidnapper. Earlier there was serviceman father's Staś's and Nel's.
• Idris - Beduin, one of serviceman's Mahdi. Such was not bad for children. It admired courage Staś's, it take care children have come healthy for Mahdi.
• Gebhr - cruel youngest brother Idris.
• Mrs. Oliver - teacher Nel bite by scorpion.
• Linde - Swiss explorer, it has met which Staś. It has given it medicines, drinks, defent food and cartridges. Deceased in result meeting with wild boar.
• Smain - husband of Fatma, relative of Mahdi.
• Caliopuli - Greek, worker of Mahdi, it has helped Staś's.
• Nasibu - serviceman of Linde, after his death it has left to farthest journey with children.
• Faru - leader of Sambur's, tribe disturbed with tribe Kali. Contemporary Kali.
• M'Kunje and M'Rua - witch-doctors Wa-Hima hostile to Kali.
• Doctor Clary - relative to Nel.
• Captain Glen - it cooperates with Glen. It has meet Staś and Nel in train.
• Władysław Tarkowski - father Staś's, engineer, widower.
• George Rawlison - father of Nel, engineer, widower.
• Fatma - relative of Mahdi. It told to abduct Staś and Nel, and mention on it them and children.