been located as accurately as circumstances would allow.
Thus future travellers and prospectors may find some useful
bints in the information now supplied. A very sanguine
man would doubtless see in those gold regions the future
uprising of vigorous trade, and the subsequent and consequent
wealth of Eastern Africa. While I sincerely think
that this is a consummation devoutly to be wished, I have
been careful to speak of things just as I found them, without
colour and without gloom. But I have been taught the
lesson of caution with regard to these matters in an old and
tried school, namely, the golden lands of the far west of
America, where fortune and failure in -mfnrng go like
the strokes of a pendulum. To any one experiencing the
buffeting of that roughly practical school, the romantic side
of gold-seeking and the idle dreams of fairy lands of hidden
treasure must of necessity have lost their charms.
Connected with the preparation of this account of my
travels and experiences, I have to acknowledge a deep debt
of gratitude to my friend Mr. William Stephen, for his
generous and painstaking assistance in the work of literary
revision.
To my publishers I express thanks for the attention they
have paid to the book, and the interest they have taken in
its progress.
I think the names of most of those who aided me at
different points, when I was beginning and when I was
ending this journey, are mentioned in the body of the book;
but I must again thank, with most grateful feelings, all
those hospitable and kind-hearted people who assisted me
en route. Whether they are white or black, their kindness
is not likely to be forgotten. The list of names is copious,
and in it that of Mr. Thomas, of Shilo, bears a prominent
place, so that it was with the deepest regret that I recently
heard of the mystery which now surrounds his fate. Soon
after my departure Mr. Thomas started on a hunting
expedition to the north, accompanied by a large following
of Matabeli hunters. Nearly all the following became
frightened on reaching the river, and refused to cross.
Mr. Thomas therefore sent them home. On returning
they reported that they had left Mr. Thomas on the
Zambesi suffering from fever. Not a word has been heard
of him since that time.
This opportunity must also be taken to mention the
excellent work done by Mr. Howland Ward, of Piccadilly,
the well-known naturalist, who has prepared various hunting
trophies for me with admirable effect.
One word more. The remark I have made respecting
the fact of my speaking of the gold regions just as I found
them, must apply to the whole range of subjects in these
two volumes. I know that in some instances I have not
shown that enthusiasm towards projects for opening up
Africa as has been displayed by other travellers ; but then
it was not my lot to come across any peculiar encouragement
such as would have enabled me to speak with hope and
with confidence of success in that direction. I would not
write words of absolute despair regarding the prospects of
the lands through which I passed, but I have endeavoured
to draw all my conclusions without the sway of prejudice.
I will therefore withhold any definite judgment as to the
value of this portion of Africa to the countries of Christendom,
leaving my readers to draw their own conclusions from
the descriptions and thoughts contained in the following
pages, and always advising them to bear in mind the words
of our famous Laureate—
“ Cleave ever to the sunnier side of doubt.”
South Kensington, July 1886.
W. M o n t a g u K e r r .