PREFAC 



Bv the kind pt3rinissioii of the Editor, the following obituarv^ 

 notice is reproduced, with some omissions and verbal jilterations, 

 from TJie Times of January 8th, 1917. 



" Captain F. C. Selous, D.S.O., the famous South African 

 explorer and big game Imnter, was killed in action in East Africa 

 on January 4tli at the age of 65. Last September he was awarded 

 the I^.S.O. 'for conspicuous gallantry, resource and endurance,' the 

 oHficial report adding that he set a magnificent examjde to all 

 ranks, and that tlie value of Ids services with his battalion could 

 not be overestimated. 



Captain Frederick Courteney Selous was born in London on 

 December 81, 1S51. He was educated at Kugby and afterwards 

 at Xeuchatel and Wiesbaden. At the age of 19 he left England 

 with £iOl) in his p:);,'ket, determined to earn his living as a 

 professional elephant hunter. With tliis object he made his wa}^ 

 to the Kimberley diamond lields, then recently discovered. On 

 learning that the right season of the year for a trip to the interior 

 was not due for soms months, young Selous joined a trading 

 expedition into Griipialand. In IS72 he at last set forth for the 

 interior, that is, the territory now known as Southern Rhodesia, 

 then terrorized by the Matabele and their martial chief Lobengula. 

 Without the permission of tliis monarch no one might enter 

 M itabeleland or the neighbouring territories. Selous approached 

 Lobengula about the matter, and the king was pleased to jest at 



