78 FROM NEW YORK TO MOMBASA 



which had fettered him so long. He had refused to Hsten to the voice 

 of the tempter, which told him that the White House and the Presi- 

 dent's chair still awaited him and were his to be had for the asking. No, 

 he had amply earned a holiday and was determined to have it — "a 

 holiday as is a holiday," in the midst of the African wilds and in the 

 presence of the earth's most terrible beasts. 



Eager to get away, to shake the dust of civilization from his feet, 

 to breathe the free air of uncultured nature, to feel the thrill of new 

 adventure, the released President hurried his preparations. The 

 members of the expedition were carefully selected, the juvenile of the 

 party being his youthful son Kermit, who was trained to be its photog- 

 rapher, but who has since shown himself to be a true "chip of the old 

 block" in his hunting intrepidity and success. 



Everything likely to be of need in the wild was carefully selected, 

 with the judgment and skill of one who knew just what the hunter 

 requires and what he can well do without. The sporting pieces 

 especially were chosen with care, with the knowledge that life might 

 often depend on the accuracy of the rifle and the trustworthy character 

 of the ammunition. 



The 23d of March, less than three weeks from the close of his 

 Presidential career, was the date selected by Mr. Roosevelt for his 

 start, and as may be imagined his life was a busy one during that brief 

 interval. It is interesting to state that one of the last visitors at 

 Oyster Bay before his departure was his mountaineer companion, 

 M. F. Cronin, the Adirondack guide and stage driver who, seven and 

 a half years before, had brought him through his breakneck midnight 

 drive to the railroad station at North Creek, a rough and headlong 

 ride in which it is said a pair of horses was killed. 



Word had come of the perilous condition of President McKinley, 

 and the bold driver felt that he was bringing a new President to his 

 chair. Now, that his Presidential career was at an end, his moun- 

 taineer friend came to bid him godspeed on the eve of his setting out 

 upon a new career. 



On the morning of March 23, 1909, ex-President Roosevelt set off 

 on his long journey from Oyster Bay to Mombasa. The ride to New 

 York was an ovation. At every station a crowd had gathered to wave 



