22 ROOSEVELT'S DEPARTURE FOR AFRICA. 



personal acquaintance of so distinguished a man. Above all, he 

 wanted personally to thank the ex-President for the help extended 

 by America at the time of the earthquake. ''You are now able," he 

 added, "to understand better what a terrible disaster it was." 



Col. Roosevelt replied, thanking the sovereign for the compli- 

 ment paid him in inviting him to come aboard the Re Umberto. He 

 said that the American people did not wish thanks for what they 

 had done, as they had merely tried to do their duty, and knew no 

 better way to confront the immense need than by their work and 

 contributions. 



The conversation then turned to the hunting trip to Africa, 

 the king saying that his tastes also ran in that direction. He men- 

 tioned the expedition of the Count of Turin in Africa and expressed 

 the hope that Col. Roosevelt would meet the count there. 



HAVE PICTURES TAKEN. 



After more than half an hour's conversation the king accom- 

 panied his guest ashore, where a photograph was taken of a group 

 consisting of his majesty, the ex-President, Kermit and the Amer- 

 ican ambassador. At the suggestion of the king Col. Roosevelt 

 snapped a picture of his majesty, Admiral Mirabello, Kermit and 

 Ambassador Griscom. 



Before leaving the king saluted Col. Roosevelt, wishing him a 

 happy and successful trip and much good luck in the way of hunting. 

 He asked Col. Roosevelt to promise that he would visit Rome on 

 his return, when the queen would be pleased to make his acquaint- 

 ance. The king then took his departure, not wishing to accompany 

 the party over the ruins. Col. Roosevelt was charmed with the 

 courtesy of the king, and declared that it was the most interesting 

 half-hour he had spent since he left the United States. 



At the close of the interview Col. Roosevelt went ashore and 

 inspected the ruins of the city, the desolation of which moved him 

 strongly. When he saw behind those shells of what once were the 

 walls of splendid palaces he was perfectly aghast, saying that it was 

 impossible to form any idea of the completeness of the disaster 

 without ocular demonstration. 



