4 AFRICA SPEAKS 



It was this call to romance that led me into my present 

 occupation. As Africa had always intrigued me more 

 than any other place, it was natural that I should 

 strive to prepare for my heart's desire; so I studied 

 Africa for many years; its animal and bird life; its 

 people and history, beheving that some time an oppor- 

 tunity would come to visit this land of mystery. 



In July, 1925, I left on my first African expedition, 

 and during that eventful journey discovered that Africa 

 is more fascinating, more colorful, more romantic 

 than I had ever dreamed it could be. After my home- 

 coming, only a few short months elapsed when the 

 urge came over me to visit again that vast continent. 

 The tropical and sleepy coast, against which beats the 

 singing surf; the towering mountains, majestic and 

 silent; the depths of the dark forests, mysterious and 

 compelling, all shouted to me, " Return again." So I set 

 about making plans for my second African journey, 

 during which I was to be successful in accomplishing 

 the first crossing of Central Equatorial Africa by 

 motor truck from the Indian to the Atlantic Ocean. 



Since returning from my last expedition I have been 

 asked many thousands of times — what was my most 

 dangerous encounter; if the natives are really savage; 

 how hot it gets; are there many animals left; how 

 I managed to talk to the different tribes, and other 

 similar and different questions seemingly without end. 

 Many people wanted to know the details of the 

 locust swarm, how I got so close to the hons, what 

 made the antelopes fly through the air hke birds. 

 Finally, in self-defense, I decided to write this book. 

 I hope you like it. If you do, I may write another — 

 Providence and my publisher permitting. 



