CHAPTER XIII

1914-1915

Visit to Texel Island--Intends to make expedition to the Bahr-el-Ghazal--Frustrated by the war--Selous' patriotism--Efforts to serve--Lord Kitchener thinks him "too old"--Col. Driscoll and the War Office--At last taken for service in East Africa--Selous' account of the capture of Bukoba--Letter to Heatley Noble--The position in East Africa in 1915--Letters to the author--German ascendancy--The Indian Government forces--Precarious position of the British forces--Intends to publish his experiences--Roosevelt's letters--German thoroughness--Roosevelt anxious for America to join the Allies--Letters to the author on the difficulties of the campaign--Unfortunate mistakes--The Munyamwesi--Wonderful fighters--Advance to Kilimanjaro--General Smuts in command--Description of the advance--A deadly climate in the wet season--Returns home for an operation--Again leaves for the front 299