TREKKING IN THE TROPICS 



the most arduous treks which would be inevitable in 

 my pioneer work. 



After having cut away the bush to make a path by 

 which to enable me to extract the car, I found, to my 

 pleasure that the engine was in order, and the car un- 

 damaged, except for a bent starting-handle. So with 

 little delay, and the help of friendly villagers from a 

 couple of miles away, I was able to bring the car up the 

 bank, a gradient of one in three, on its own power. 



It was a surprise to me, and a source of wonderment 

 to those around me who had witnessed the performance 

 of the car. The story spread throughout the provinces, 

 and from then on, in the course of my journeys, there 

 were many inquiries as to the stunts of the car. 



The model I chose for my big trek was the ordinary 

 standard four-seater Morris-Cowley, which was used, 

 not only to convey myself and servants, but also for 

 carrying camp kit, supplies of food and petrol, and in- 

 struments needed in my work, in all weathers. Experi- 

 ence proved that when it was more heavily loaded, the 

 greater was the comfort in going over the rough. 



Throughout the whole of my tour of service this 

 little car was in constant use when making surveys and 

 cutting trails through the denser parts of the rain forest. 

 During this time she was exposed to all weathers night 

 and day, and even when under a temporary roof shelter, 

 was subjected to the force of tornadoes and driving rain. 



In the first four thousand miles of use registered, with 

 the exception of removing the speed-washer at seven 



213 



