CHAPTER III 

 East Africa 



In 191 1 I took part in a second expedition to East 

 Africa, for the purpose of proving man's power over 

 the wildest animals with no weapon save a rope. The 

 expedition was a large one, and, of course, the baggage 

 was in proportion. I believe that really the hardest 

 part about a trip which turns out a success is the making 

 of the preHminary arrangements. The expedition 

 which fails usually does so because the prehminaries 

 have been neglected. Too much stuff, too little stuff, 

 or the wrong stuff, any of these causes, but especially 

 the first and last, will serve to land you in difficulties, 

 and, if the trip is really a long one, taking you far from 

 supplies, in disaster. 



On this occasion our party consisted of seven 

 Europeans, some hundred natives, five horses, and 

 seven dogs of various sizes and breeds or combina- 

 tions of breeds — indeed a mighty company. 



I shall never forget the seemingly awful confusion 

 on the platform of Nairobi Station that morning. 

 We arrived there at 11.30 a.m. to catch the i.o p.m. 



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