INTRODUCTION. IX 



of Colonel Somerset, into the country of the Amapon- 

 da Caffres, where we lay for some time under canvas — 

 where our principal amusements were quail-shooting 

 and throwing the assagai. Being disappointed ia my 

 expectations, and there being at that time no prospect 

 of fighting, I made up my mind to sell out of the army, 

 and to penetrate into the interior further than the foot 

 of civilized man had yet trodden — to vast regions which 

 would afford abundant food for the gratification of the 

 passion of my youth — the collecting of hunting tro- 

 phies and objects of interest in science and natural his- 

 tory : and in this I ultimately succeeded to my heart's 

 desire. 



With regard to my African adventures, the following 

 pages must speak for themselves. Let me here state, 

 however, that I was the first to penetrate into the in- 

 terior of the Bamangwato country, and that my ax and 

 spade pioneered the way which others have since fol- 

 lowed. I should have pushed still further but that the 

 great losses I experienced in cattle and horses prevent- 

 ed me &om so doing. 



During the many years I spent in the wilderness, 

 my wagon was my only home. Even this I often de- 

 serted ; and alone, or attended only by savages, pro- 

 ceeded on distant hunting expeditions, leaving my few 

 followers encamped around my baggage. Days and 

 nights, on these occasions, have I passed in my sol- 

 itary hunting-hole, near some drinking^place, watching 

 the majestic carriage of the lion, the sagacious actions 

 of the elephant, and the curious instincts of the count- 

 less varieties of game that have passed within a few 

 yards of me, quite unaware of the proximity of man. 



