PREFACE. 



IN placing this book before the public, I am conscious of its 

 short-comings as a narrative having an unbroken interest 

 for the general reader. As a fact, I never contemplated writ- 

 ing a book of travel, but merely undertook the journey under 

 the circumstances detailed in Chapter I. 



To have introduced and enlarged upon personal events, sport, 

 the sayings and doings of my followers, etc., would have in- 

 creased the size of this work to an alarming degree; for it 

 must be remembered that the period dealt with extends over 

 three years and five months. Nearly the whole of that time 

 I was on the tramp ; and it has been my object to make this a 

 guide by which my footsteps may be traced by those interested 

 in the exploration of Africa, rather than a personal narrative of 

 adventure and travel. 



With this purpose I have principally confined myself to de- 

 tailing the particulars of my route ; the peculiarities of the 

 country ; the manners and customs of the natives ; the meth- 

 ods under which the detestable trafiic in slaves is conducted, 

 and the desolation and destruction that follow in its train ; and 

 to showing the prospects of opening up and civilizing Africa. 



My. time has also been much occupied in many ways ; and 

 had I not received cordial assistance from willing hands, it is 

 possible this attempt would never have seen the light. 



The accompanying map, too, has been most carefully pre- 



