vi PREFACE.

obstacles, and we became the best of friends. Our chief

difficulty was in first entering their country, and in setting

their minds at rest as to our peaceable and non-political

intentions towards them. On one occasion only, when our

party was divided, we had good reason to believe that they

meditated an attack ; but, on their discovering that we were

apprised of their intentions, they apparently gave up their

project, and we never had cause to suspect them again.

The only travellers that I could hear of, who had ever ven>

tured into this country, were a Mr. and Mrs. Powell, who,

together with their child, had been treacherously murdered

by the Base ; and even they had not advanced very far into

their territory.

The map of the Base country that accompanies this vol- ume was made by my brother, Mr. W. D. James, assisted

by Mr. Aylmer, from astronomical observations taken with a

sextant every night. They carefully mapped out our route

every day by aid of the sextant and prismatic compass. It

adds a portion, however small, to the map of Africa.

The woodcuts were all done in New York, from my

brother's and Mr. Aylmer's photographs, and are specimens

of a branch of art in which Americans excel.

I would, in conclusion, ask the indulgence of the public

for this effort of one who for the first time publishes a

record of his daily life and experiences in Africa.

F. L. J.

Sept. 19, 1883.