"Yes, I have been there twice, and have made excursions for short
distances from the coast. But this time we are going into a country
which may be said to be altogether unknown. One or two explorers
have made their way there, but these have done little towards
examining the natural productions of the country, and have been
rather led by inducements of sport than by those of research."

"Did you have fever, sir?"

"Two or three little attacks. A touch of African fever, during
what is called the good season, is of little more importance than a
feverish cold at home. It lasts two or three days, and then there
is an end of it. In the bad season the attacks are extremely violent,
sometimes carrying men off in a few hours. I consider, however,
that dysentery is a more formidable enemy than fever. However, even
that, when properly treated, should be combated successfully."

"Do you mean to hire the men to go with you at Sierra Leone?"

"Certainly not, Frank. The negroes of Sierra Leone are the most
indolent, the most worthless, and the most insolent in all Africa.
It is the last place in the world at which to hire followers. We
must get them at the Gaboon itself, and at each place we arrive at
afterwards we take on others, merely retaining one of the old lot
to act as interpreter. The natives, although they may allow white
men to pass safely, are exceedingly jealous of men of other tribes.
I shall, however, take with me, if possible, a body of, say six
Houssas, who are the best fighting negroes on the coast. These I
shall take as a bodyguard; the carriers we shall obtain from the
different tribes we visit. The Kroomen, whom you will see at Cape