only say I acted on this conviction, and I think, I may add, I managed
it successfully; for there are now but few animals to be found in
either India, Tibet, or the Himalaya Mountains, specimens of which
have not fallen victims to my gun. Of this the paternal hall is an
existing testimony. Every year after the war I obtained leave of
absence, and every year I marched across the Himalayas, and penetrated
into some unknown portions of Tibet, shooting, collecting, and mapping
the country wherever I went. My mess-mates wondered how it was I
succeeded in getting so much leave; but the reason was simply this,
and I tell it that others may profit by it:--The Commander-in-Chief,
Sir William Gomm, observing to what good account I always turned my
leave, instead of idling my time away, or running into debt, took
great pleasure in encouraging my hobby; and his Staff were even heard
to say it would be a pity if I did not get leave, as so much good
resulted from it.

The 3d September 1854 completed my tenth year's servitude in India,
and on the succeeding day, the 4th, I embarked on board one of the P.
and O. Company's steamers at Calcutta, and left the Indian shore for
Aden; but previously to my departure I purchased various cheap
articles of barter, all as tempting and seductive as I could find, for
the simple-minded negroes of Africa. These consisted principally of
cheap guns, revolving pistols, swords, cheap cutlery of all sorts,
beads, cotton stuffs of a variety of kinds, and sewing material, &c.
&c. &c., to the amount of L390 sterling. Arrived at Aden, my first
step was to visit Colonel Outram, the political resident, to open my
views to him with regard to penetrating Africa, and to solicit his
assistance to my doing so, by granting introductory letters to the
native chiefs on the coast, and in any other manner that he could. But
to my utter astonishment and discomfiture, with the frank and