PREFACE.
B e f o r e these volumes pass irrevocably out
of the Author’s hands, I take this, the last,
opportunity of addressing my readers. In the
first place, I have to express my most humble
thanks to Divine Providence for the gracious
protection vouchsafed to myself and my
surviving followers during our late perilous
labours in Africa.
In the second place, I have to convey to
many friends my thanks for their welcome
services and graceful congratulations, notably
to Messrs, Motta Viega and J. W. Harrison,
the gentlemen of Boma who, by their
timely supplies of food, electrified the Expedition
into new life; to the sympathizing
society of Loanda, who did their best to
spoil us with flattering kindness; to the kindly
community of the Cape of Good Hope, who
so royally entertained the homeward bound
