Chapter VI: TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE

In the mad effort to forget Lady Brenda I globe-trotted furiously.

One day found me among the quaint walled towns of Normandy.

The next I was in Germany.

Feeling that excitement was necessary to me, I joined the motor race to Monte Carlo,

and was to be seen every night in the Casino;

where I lost heavily.

I passed on to Venice,

and from there to Naples.

But in vain - I could not forget Lady Brenda, and sleep was out of the question.

I also suffered from loss of memory, and frequently forgot my shirt and waistcoat.

In my despair I took for a brief, mad period to drink, but was careful that no one should suspect the proximity of the bottle.

From Naples I passed on to India, that land

of mystery and Eastern splendour.

It was my first experience of the tropics. The heat was intense.

At night I lay with my tent open;

by day the jungle throbbed beneath the intolerable sun.

But by taking precautions I retained my health.

I had also my faithful and admirable syce, who, like everyone with whom I have ever come in contact (except, alas! Lady Brenda), adored me.

Then came the Paticaka Guerilla War. I enlisted against the insurgent Gherkins.

I slept soundly the night before the battle.

Although shot many times I fought on, but I became unconscious from loss of blood, not, however, until the day was won. That night eleven bullets, which I still preserve, were extracted from my body.

The Maharajah showed his appreciation of my services,

and, furthermore, put me to the blush by offering me his favourite wife.

It was on leaving Paticaka that I had the narrowest escape from death that I have yet experienced. I took my seat in the Calcutta train

and settled myself to repose, when, with a fearful crash, the carriage was overturned. We had disregarded the signal.

The scene was appalling; human remains strewed the ground.

Fortunately I escaped unhurt, although somewhat badly shaken.

Before returning to England I visited Japan,

where I made many friends among the quaint little people. I saw a sight I shall never forget - the sun rising over Fusiyama.

Later in the day I saw it set - an equally memorable spectacle.

From Japan I sailed to Africa, and among the many photographs I took is a view of a kraal on the banks of the Oomba river, Nygskmbasi, B.C.A.