Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-20

~ PRING was responsible for Turing
us to Africa. The idea went
through short period of incuba-
~ ton, then broke out like rash.
I was more surprised than any
one. Overnight my son and became
swashbucklers. One evening We went
to bed normal citizens of Buffalo, N. Y;
next morning we came down to break
fast and swashbuckled. Spring did it.
When our blood cooled down trifie
We took an inventory of our equipment,
both mental and physical. My pro-
posed companion insisted he was nearer
"A years old than Is, while I insisted
was not yet 40.
Our motives, we discovered, were
identical-We sought adventure. This
was the sum total of our qualifications.
We seemed to have common denom-
inator, however, and plenty of vague
ness to divide it into, so the matter was
settled At once a fantastic unreality
invaded our lives.
For one who was accustomed to lie
awake one night because cotton had
gone down and the next because it had
gone up, it was state of affairs diff
cult to comprehend. Again, had led
a regular life for years 1t was part
OF my fixed routine to be always rush.
ing somewhere. generally in a panic
over something. I was never quite clear
as TO where was rushing, or what the
panic was over, but I was regular
about it.
Under such conditions the full reali-
cation that we were actually going to
Africa at length permeated my senses.
MY first reaction was one of exulta-
tlon. was going to be free-free to
go Where 1 willed; to seek adventure;
to live.
Then came the inevitable reaction.
equal and opposite in direction, NV
neart turned to lead in my chest. my
business" I reflected in a panic, "the
Child OF my brain! 1t will disintegrate
into coSmfc dust!''
1t might as well be recorded at once
InaI IL didn't. 1t throve. My desk was
USED as sort OF labyrinth in which to
lose undeslred mail, and many long
needed reforms were effected.
My friends divided themselves into
Two classes: those who thought I was
crazy and said SO, and those who only
thought was crazy.
AN entirely new group of human
DengS entered my life. It consisted of
tnose who labored with suppressed de-
sires-and unsupported wanderlusts.
one balmy day, an orderly business
man. with no visible signs of blood
THIRSTY tendencies, drew me aside and
whispered in my ear: I'D like to lend
you my elephant gun. It's a little old
IaSnloned-double 500-for black pow
der-but might be useful
i don't get you,' said.
- elephant gun--take it," he went on.
! was all set to go to Africa myself
once, put my wife had baby. 1t broke
up the trip" -
How very inconsiderate of her!" was
all / could say.
AND now began to avoid our curate
Tor there was look in his eyes that
LED me to suspect him of secret desire
TO become the chaplain (spiritual-not
Charlie) OF our little expedition.
ms all sounds unreal, I am well
aware OF that, but it happened exactly
as set down, and proved to be inn
portant, for it brought new problem
INTO our lives. What should one take to
Africa? We felt we ought to take
something besides few vague yearn-
ings. But what?
THEN, in New York, met a fellow
who had actually been to Africa
once in the flesh. What does one
take?" I asked him.
II you have your golf sticks and
tennis racket" he answered, you
needn't worry; and for clothes, your
! dinner coat will see. you through"
But I'm going big-game hunting"
explained patiently, land while / do
play sort of hybrid golf and some
tnlng that might be termed tennis, I
always do it at my country club"
You must play golf and tennis with
the fellows down there" he Continued.
They like it-and if they win enough
from you, they'll see that you get some
good hunting"
/ Here was pretty thing! Romance
with the golf clubs! Mystery with the
| tennis racket! Advantage, Mr., Ante
| lope! Love 40, Mrs. Elephantl Bunk |,
But we knew we needed guns so
when we arrived in London went to a
gunsmith.
Good morning" said, I'm on nv
way to Africa. I would like something
IN the way OF gun, If you please" A
simple request, yet uttered without
conviction
Very good" he replied languidly
what ballisticS do you fancy?"
MY reply is secret that will die
with me.
But in the end I purchased a long
lean, Misunderstanding musket and
enough ammunition to start q reyo-
luton.
At this point I would have been glad
to let the matter drop. My son, how
ever, labored under the conviction that
1t would be nothing short of suicide to