TREKKING IN THE TROPICS 



W ^ W * ' 



In some parts of Africa travel is very difficult, if 

 not impossible, during the rains, but this by no means 

 applies to the whole, and then only for a short season 

 during the rains. In Nigeria, for instance, with a light 

 car, one can trek right through the rains. In the case 

 of newly-cut trails, these are improved and hardened 

 by the heavy downpour, and in consequence going is 

 made easier. It is safe to say that on laterite and sandy 

 soils the roads are equally good all the year round. On 

 the low-lying grounds where almost pure sand is met 

 with, the roads are even heavier in the dry season — 

 though here I might mention that in such country the 

 large tyre which is usually fitted to the Morris is an 

 improvement on the old high pressure type. I have heard 

 it argued that the semi-low-pressure provides a larger 

 vulnerable surface, and many people still prefer the 

 high-pressure car for African travel, although latterly 

 I invariably used the former. 



One of the most thrilling experiences I had was in the 

 rain forests on the road from Satoba to Benin by the old 

 trail by way of Agbor. I had paid out my labourers at 

 the end of the week, and was hastening into Benin to 

 meet members of the Colonial Office Commission who 

 were then visiting the Southern Provinces. In spite of 

 a severe tornado, I started out and was making a short 

 cut by a narrow forest trail. I was speeding along as 

 fast as the bends would permit, when I saw just ahead of 

 me a tall forest tree falling across my path. I was travel- 

 ling too fast to pull up, and so I stepped on the gas and 



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