TREKKING IN THE TROPICS 



The record of British colonization of Equatorial 

 Africa has been that of peaceful penetration; and when 

 its history comes to be recorded, we shall learn how 

 much of its success in recent years has been due to the 

 internal combustion engine. Although development had 

 taken place up rivers, it was essentially restricted. The 

 hinterland was never easily accessible until the coming 

 of the motor car. Today, improved roads have opened 

 up to the motorist vast tracts of territory which were 

 previously inaccessible except to a few. 



At first sight the motor car called forth wonderment 

 in peoples who had not then reached the wheel-barrow 

 stage, but in the course of a short decade the use of the 

 motor car has become almost universal. 



In pursuance of my work it was the exception rather 

 than the rule for me to use the best roads, and the light 

 car with which I replaced my motorcycle, proved itself 

 invaluable in trail-breaking. So fine was its performance, 

 and so entirely useful to me in my work, that it gives 

 me pleasure to state my satisfaction in the ownership 

 of a car that has successfully met a variety of arduous 

 tests. In the course of a ten thousand mile trek I was 

 not once delayed through breakdown or defect in its 

 mechanical response to the calls made upon it. Through- 

 out the whole of my journeys the only damage other 

 than that necessitating tire replacement, was a bent 

 starting-handle and a few dents to a wing. The bent 

 starting-handle was the result of a spectacular drop, 

 which, although unsought for, actually provided a test 



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