A RACE FOR THE LIMITED 5 



As the packages were being loaded into three cabs a man 

 stepped forward and accosted me: "We have got you 

 now ! I am a reporter for The Star, and would like to 

 know who the man is that keeps the Imperial Limited 

 waiting !" The moment did not seem favourable for an 

 interview, but I invited him to enter my cab and the two 

 or three minutes required to drive to the station afforded 

 opportunity for an explanation: 



I was on my way to New Guinea. This was a Nor- 

 wegian undertaking which had the support of three geo- 

 graphical societies. It was hoped that a geologist and a 

 botanist from Norway would meet me next year in Ba- 

 tavia to take part in this expedition to one of the least- 

 known regions on the globe. **What do you expect to 

 find V he asked just as we halted. 



The porters outside said the train was gone, having 

 waited fifteen minutes. The newspaper man immediately 

 joined forces with my Canadian friend, and they were 

 equally determined that by some means I should over- 

 take that train. First we went to look for the station- 

 master, hoping through him to obtain permission to have 

 the train stopped en route. When found after a few 

 minutes* search, he tried in vain to get one of the officials 

 of the Canadian Pacific Company on the telephone. My 

 two friends stood near to keep his interest active, but he 

 did not seem to succeed. The station was quiet and 

 looked abandoned. It was after ten o'clock and at that 

 time of the evening the hope of reaching an official at his 

 residence seemed forlorn. 



Meantime I had my luggage ready to throw aboard 



