PREFACE 



off-hand between two fine shots, so that you might 

 publish them. 



Besides being a resume of your notes on your travels 

 and work during the three years you spent in Mozam- 

 bique, your book is a work as complete as interesting. 

 In its turn it adds a stone to the monument raised by 

 all those who have endeavoured to reveal to us the 

 secrets of the Dark Continent. It does not really need 

 a preface. The reader will readily appreciate its 

 style and precision, which both show that you are not 

 new to such work. The frame is worthy of the picture ; 

 the illustrations which adorn the text, faithful repro- 

 ductions of your precious photographs, do the greatest 

 credit to Messrs. Hachette and their artists. 



I have endeavoured, my dear Vasse, to unveil to 

 your readers all that your modesty would have passed 

 over in silence. I have one more revelation to make 

 to them : 



You have been accompanied by the most devoted 

 companion, the bravest and most admirable assistant. 

 I know with what self-effacement, but also with what 

 energy and patience, Mrs. Vasse has helped you in 

 your work. I cannot refrain from holding her up to 

 the respectful admiration of your readers. It is only 

 fair that having suffered hardships with you she should 

 now share your honours. 



How justly proud you must have felt when your 

 pupil brought down her first leopard, and how many 

 sportswomen can enter two of these beautiful creatures 

 in their hunting-book ! 



Although game is daily diminishing in Africa, 

 decimated by Europeans who are too often not sports- 

 men but destroyers, — hemmed in on all sides by 



(ix) 



