By placing this book before the public, I am conscious of its shortcomings as a narrative having an unbroken interest for the general reader. As a fact, I never contemplated writing a book of travel; but merely undertook the journey under the circumstances detailed in Chapter I.
To have introduced and enlarged upon personal events, sport, the sayings and doings of my followers, &c., would have increased the size of this work to an alarming degree; for it must be remembered that the period dealt with extends over three years and five months. Nearly the whole of that time I was on the tramp; and it has been my object to make this a guide by which my footsteps may be traced by those interested in the exploration of Africa, rather than a personal narrative of adventure and travel.
With this purpose I have principally confined myself to detailing the particulars of my route; the peculiarities of the country; the manners and customs of the natives; the methods under which the detestable traffic in slaves is conducted, and the desolation and destruction that follow in its train; and to showing the prospects of opening up and civilising Africa.
My time has also been occupied in many ways, and had I not received cordial assistance from willing hands it is possible this attempt would never have seen the light.
The accompanying map, too, has been most carefully prepared from my numerous notes, observations, and sketch-maps, by Mr. Turner of the Royal Geographic Society, and I feel every confidence in putting it forward as a thoroughly reliable guide to my journey from the East to the West of Africa.