The jungle folk of Africa

John Stuart Mill · en
I have avoided generalizations and abstractions, in the belief that the
concrete and the personal would be not only more interesting but also
more informing. This book is, therefore, in the main, a narration of the
particular incidents of my own experience and observation during seven
years in Africa; incidents, many of which, at their occurrence, moved me
either to laughter or to tears, and sometimes both in alternation. For,
nowhere else in the world does tragedy so often end in comedy, and comedy
in tragedy.

I am indebted to Mr. Harry D. Salveter for his kindness in furnishing me
with many photographic illustrations, including the best of my collection.

                                                       ROBERT H. MILLIGAN.

_New York._




CONTENTS


                                    I

  THE VOYAGE                                                            19

    Dreadful alternatives—A pork and cabbage saint—The
    outfit—A parting pain—Canary Islands—The change to the
    tropics—Sierra Leone—The native yell—Deck passengers—A meal of
    potato-peelings—Liberia—Shipboard conversation—A shrewd decision.

                                   II

  THE COAST                                                             36

    Wet and dry seasons—The climate—The trader—Old Calabar—The
    crocodile—The most beautiful place in West Africa—The ugliest place
    in the world—Mount Cameroon—A ride on a mule—Landing in the surf.

                                   III

  BUSH TRAVEL                                                           55

    Where no white man had been—The greatest forest in the
    world—The caravan—Outfit—African roads—Bridges—The worst of the
    road—Blessings in disguise—The art of walking—The arrival in
    camp—The misery of morning—Rubber stomachs.

                                   IV

  BUSH PERILS                                                           73

    The road at the worst—Tired out—A palaver with the
    carriers—Elephants—A caravan astray—A long night—A borrowed
    shirt—The sullen forest—Accident the constant factor—A last
    journey—Advantage of breakfast before daylight.

                                    V

  THE CAMP-FIRE                                                         89

    The camp—African mimics—The lemur’s cry—Legend of the snail—The
    chimpanzee and the ungrateful man—A fable of the turtle—Why the
    leopard walks alone—A “true” story—A magic fight—Discovering
    a thief—A spirit who spreads disease—A shadow-slayer—A witch
    discovered—Lying awake at night.

                                   VI

  A HOME IN THE BUSH                                                   107

    Efulen—The “white animal” performs—Africa no solitude—The mail—The
    first fever—Yearning for a shirt—A vivid account of my funeral—The
    first house—Cooks and cooking—The medical layman—Mrs. Laffin’s
    visit.

                                   VII