CHAPTER XIII. 



A WEST AFRICAN EPISODE. 1 



HEARTILY tired of an inactive life, I volunteered 

 for service in West Africa, the deadliest hole on the 

 face of the earth. Whilst in command of an out- 

 station on the Quillo I had to visit certain outposts, 

 and finding an old friend, manager of a factory, he 

 invited me to go with him to certain localities in the 

 interior, where it was supposed petroleum was to be 

 found, and perhaps coal. He had an establishment at 

 Bonga, an island some three or four days' journey off, 

 and situated on a beautiful river, the name of which 

 is unnecessary. Just as I joined him, he received an 

 order directing him to return to Liverpool by the 

 next steamer, to consult on matters connected with 

 trade, so although he could not accompany me him- 

 self, he placed his boatmen and house on the island 

 at my disposal ; and as I was anxious to report on 

 the rumours so long current to the government I 

 was serving, I started a few days after. I had eight 

 Kruboys with me, as I was told game was plentiful, 

 but I did not take many stores. 



The buffalo of this part of Africa is that described 

 1 Related by a Friend on the Congo, the late Major V. 



