In the words of the old Greek, "History is Philosophy teaching by examples." The world writhes with the quickening life of change. The tide of our supreme ascendancy is on the ebb. Nations, like men, are subject to disease. Let us beware of fatty degeneration of the heart. Luxury is sweeping away the influences which formed our character. It is as though our climate has been changed from the bleak northern winds to the tropic’s indolent ease. Yet we have still a chance. While we sleep, broad tracks have been cut for us by those whom we revile. Far and wide our outposts are awake, beckoning to the great army to sweep along the tracks. Let each man with means and muscles for the fray go forth at least to see what empire is. Clive, Hastings, Rhodes, a thousand lesser men whose tombs are known only to the forest breeze, have left us legacies of which we barely dream. Millions of miles of timber, metals, coal, lie waiting for the breath of life, "pegged out" for Britain’s sons. In these our destiny lies. We live but once: let us be able, when the last summons comes, to say with the greatest of us all, "Tread me down. Pass on. I have done my work." _*CONTENTS.*_ CHAP. I. The Cape to Beira and the Sabi II. The Pungwe and Gorongoza’s Plain--Second Expedition III. The Zambezi and Shiré Rivers IV. Chiperoni V. British Central Africa and Lake Nyassa VI. Karonga to Kituta across the Tanganyika Plateau VII. The Chambesi VIII. Tanganyika IX. The Rusisi Valley X. Lake Kivu XI. The Volcanoes XII. Mushari and its Cannibals XIII. The Rutchuru Valley and the Albert Edward Lake XIV. Katwe to Toro XV. Toro to Mboga XVI. Semliki Valley and Kavalli’s Country XVII. Albert Lake and Upper Nile to Wadelai XVIII. Wadelai to Kero XIX. Kero to Abu-Kuka and back to Bohr XX. In Dinka-land XXI. In Nuerland XXII. The Sobat to Cairo XXIII. The Trans-Continental Railway XXIV. Native Questions _*LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS*_ I advanced with outstretched Hand (missing from book) . . . _Frontispiece_ It was a gruesome Sight And I was compelled to stoop down and grope One or more of the neighbouring Chiefs came to pay his Respects On the Track of the Cannibals Balegga waiting for Elephant There were numbers of Dinkas fishing here Map of the Route *FROM THE CAPE TO CAIRO.* *CHAPTER I.* *THE CAPE TO BEIRA AND THE SABI.*