Year: 1877

should not like to have another war; but
what can do if savages will attack me? l
have few young men who are aware Of
what we can do in the way of fighting. and
we do not propose to sleep, or let any man
draw his knife across our throats without
demonstrating in most energetic manner.
Granted that we shall have fighting to do,
what else is there to fear ?" "Oh, plenty Of
things but you will see." We did see. it
is true ; but reserve that story for ano-
ther letter.


RETROSPECT OF HORRORS


The journey over the hitherto unknown
half of Africa now being finished, the
difficulties and terrors, wars after wars,
troubles after troubles, toll upon toll, the
dismay and despair boing ended, it cannot
be won dered that we breathe little frcer
and feel more relief now than when we
were about to begin the journey. Our ex-





periences have been very sad and dreadful,
and we have paid dearly for the temerity
and obstinacy with which we held on. You
might Gull oil the terrible experiences that
African travellers relate in their books, and
united they would scarcely present such q
list of difficulties as we could show. Our
losses, nevertheless, have not been so great
comparatively. Our journeys length from
Nyangwe is nearly one thousand eight hun
dred miles; our losses In men are one Euro
pean and thirty-four Wanguana. Captain
Tuckcy lost eighteen Europeans and eleven
colored men in about three months.
Mungo Park lost his own life and
the lives of all his people, and out Of Ped
dies Niger expedition the commander and
oil the principal officers lost their lives and
the expedition was broken up. Much
earnest effort was necessary to break
through, and there is no doubt that if we
had not made it some explorer with a little
more determination and less nonsense in
him would have done il, and his troubles
would have been much the same


"REMINISCENCES OF FRANCIS PoCocK.


But have paid for my triumph with one
Of my band whose loss almost causes me to
regret that also did not permit myself to
be dissuaded from entering the unknown
regions. Though born in an hum
Bile sphere of life Francis Pocock
was IN extraordinary man; man to
make himself respected and beloved !;
man Of many fine qualities, Of cool,
steadfast courage, that knew no quailng; Of
great manliness, cheerful, amiable COM
panion gentle, pious soul, and O stanch
friend in trouble. One instance of his
courage is worth relating. The natives of
Ibaka prepared to attack us and advanced
on us for that purpose. l stood up in the
boat TO speak TO them, and while engaged in
conversation with ono Of the chiefs canoe
crept up near Franks and Frank was made
aware that he was q target for two or
three guns and lifted his gun to
fro or to threaten them. Seeing
this, that it would precipitate US into
another fight, before exhausting oil on
deavors for peace, cried out to Frank
to drop his gun. He instantly obeycd, and
permitted them to approach within thirty
yards of him without making the least
motion, though every one was exceedingly
anxious. Finding that his eyes were fas-
tened on them two of the savages that wero
aiming at Frank suddenly changed their
minds, and gave my boats crew the benefit
of their attentions, firing among us, wound
ing four Of my best men, though fortunately