TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE.

Altiiougii of late years much has been done to explore that

least known quarter of our globe, Africa, and many works

of deep interest, valuable information, and exciting incident

have appeared, recounting bold and enterprising expeditions

into that country, none of them surpasses the "Feldzug

nach Taka," lately published by Ilerr Werne, nor does any

of them treat of those almost unknown districts of Africa

into which his wanderings led him. In a recent number of " Blackwood's Magazine," in which Mr. ^Yerne's work was

ably analysed, the writer says of it : —

" In various respects, Mr. Wcrne's 'Feldzug' is one of

the most curious books of travel and adventure that, for a

very long time, has aj)pearcd. It has three points of par-

ticular attraction and originality. In the first place, the

author wanders in a region previously unexplored by Chris-

tian and educated travellers, and amongst tribes whose bare names have reached the ears of but few Europeans.

Secondly, he campaigns as officer in such an army as we

can hardly realise in these days of higli civilisation and strict

military discipline, — so wild, motley, and grotesque ai'c its

customs, composition, and equipment, — an army whose

savage Avarriors, strange practices, and barbarous cruelties, make us fancy ourselves in presence of some fierce jNIoslem

horde of the middle ages marching to the assault of Italy or Hungary. ThiixUy, during his long sojourn in the camp, he had ojiportunities such as few ordinary travellers enjoy, and