INTRODUCTION 



Insuzi valley, Mome Gorge, Cetewayo's grave, and the 

 " impis " that we watched gathering around the N'khan- 

 dlha forest, the loss of the searchlight, and the finding of 

 what was believed to be Bambata's head in the gorge. 



I could easily fill another volume with anecdotes and 

 reminiscences from various chapters of my roving career. 



A fire at sea is anything but a pleasant experience, 

 and I for one have no wish for a second taste. 



The life of a rolling stone, as I have known it, is always 

 a glorious uncertainty, up one day and down the next ; 

 but I do not advise any one to try it, for in the long run 

 the game is unprofitable financially, and you must be 

 extremely versatile, able to adapt yourself to all grades 

 of society, and willing to accept cheerfully whatever may 

 come your way. Drive an ox team to-day and play 

 Shakespeare to-morrow. At all times remember that 

 your pocket is your truest friend, always keep smiling, 

 be ready to do anything, go anywhere, face any danger, 

 and be careful with whom you chum up. Acquaintances 

 and friends are two vastly different types of people. 



To roam around the world is all right for a youngster 

 in his early twenties ; it is, in fact, the most liberal 

 education of all, you learn something of humanity, 

 become self-reliant, and judge with broad views the 

 world around you, its social and other problems ; but 

 sooner or later the time must come to settle down to 

 something definite. 



People have often told me that had I settled down 

 at first when leaving school I could have been this or that 

 by now ; but if I had those ten years over again I would 

 do precisely the same as I have done. The lesson has 

 been hard at times, I admit, but certain I am that it has 

 been thorough, and the experience gained will always 

 prove invaluable in after life. 



Some scenes there are, trivial enough in themselves, 

 perhaps, but which stand out in sharp relief as we gaze 



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