Chapter 1, "A Not Unnatural Enterprise" Summary

Vandyck Jennings laments the loss of his notes, photographs, and other supporting documentation. He promises to do his best to describe the cities, parks, and of course the women, from memory. He has chosen not to reveal the location of the country he describes for fear that greedy expansionists, missionaries or traders will move in.

Vandyck introduces his fellow explorers, Terry O. Nicholson and Jeff Margrave. The three have been friends for many years and share an interest in science. Terry is a wealthy man who owns many boats, cars, and airplanes. An explorer at heart, his principal complaint in life is that there are few unexplored wilderness areas left to chart. Jeff is a doctor with a poetic nature; he is studious and enjoys biology. Vandyck is a sociologist with an interest...