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 volume 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.