PREFACE 



BECAUSE of its dangerous animals, and in 

 some localities, its dangerous natives, Africa is 

 probably the most lucrative country from which 

 to gather material for a book of this character. 



From the time that we boarded the S. S. Ad- 

 miral, bound for Mombasa, we met English offi- 

 cers and settlers returning to their respective 

 posts or homes, who rehearsed exciting experi- 

 ences that at once convinced us that it would 

 be impossible to live long in Africa without 

 having at least one thrilling adventure. 



The majority of these stories are literally 

 true. They are the experiences of the various 

 members of our party and of those of gentle- 

 men we met, whose word cannot be doubted. 

 The same can be said of the articles relating to 

 the habits of the animals. The last seven chap- 

 ters should not be accepted as actual fact. They 

 are so far based on fact, however, that they are 

 not improbable. 



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