In Wildest Africa ^ 



is possible, to enter into friendly relations with the native 

 tribes. In many districts of Africa the European will 

 traverse, with altogether superior weapons in his hands, 

 countries whose inhabitants still fi.L^'ht with nearly the 

 same weapons that were borne by prehistoric tribes. But 

 notwithstanding this, he must remember that his superiority 

 rests chiefly on the prestige that the European possesses 

 in presence of the black man. But this prestige will not 

 suffice, especially at night, to keep oft" all attacks. It is 

 therefore necessary that proper precaution should be the 

 rule. This is in the long run not such an easy matter, 

 for generally in the midst of apparent peace no one will 

 think of the possibility of an attack. But it often takes 

 place without warning ; and thefts at night will also some- 

 times hapjjen. In short, the middle course between 

 necessary precaution and needless nervousness is not 

 always easy for the traveller to hit upon. 



But all this, to a great extent, adds to the charm of 

 that wild caravan lite. There is something endlessly 

 alluring in thus going out into the open country with all 

 one's belongings, pitching one's camp by some pleasant 

 |)lace where there is water, and under shady trees, and 

 wandering, free as the birds, wheresoever the desire or 

 wish of the moment leads one. Of course, it no shady 

 trees are to be tbund, if the water tastes strongly of natron, 

 or looks more like pea-souj) than clear spring-water, if 

 swarms ol mosquitoes annoy one in the night, and llies 

 and other insects in the da\time. all this must be j)ut 

 Uj) with as a [)art ot this wild life. l"ree as the birds, 

 we can indeed choose our waw but with the everlasting 



198 



