Adventure, Sport, and Travel on the Tibetan Steppes. By W.
N. Fergusson. (Constable and Co. 16s. net.)—A shadow of melan- choly is thrown over a narrative full of interest and animation by what we are told about the man who is the chief personality in it. John Weston Brooke served with the Yorkshire Yeomanry in South Africa and was promoted to a commission in the 7th Hussars. This he resigned, intending to devote himself to exploration. His first venture was in East Africa, where he travelled, not without great risks : the report that his party had perished was at one time current—from Nairobi to the western shores of Lake Rudolph. After his return to England he prepared himself in the most serious way for his work. His objective was Tibet. His attempt to enter the country by the Assam border was frustrated. He then changed his plans and made China his starting-point. His first journey, in which he crossed Tibet, lasted from August, 1906, to October, 1907. Two months later he started again and about a year afterwards was murdered in the Independent Lobo land. In this second expedition he was accompanied by Mr. C. H. Meares and by the author of this volume. Mr. Meares would have written this book but for the fact that he had been enlisted by Captain Scott for his Antarctic voyage and was busy buying dogs and ponies in Siberia. Mr. Fergusson, who was also a companion in the second journey, has accordingly undertaken this task. For materials he has had Lieut. Brooke's diary and photographs, and his own observations and re- collections, besides some experiences recorded by Mr. Meares. The first voyage is related in Chapters 1.—v., the second, naturally with much more detail, in the remainder of the book. The story of Lieut. Brooke's end is very sad, for one can hardly help thinking that it might have been avoided. There was a dispute about the right to pass over one of the Lobo Chiefs' territory. The man demanded thirty shillings for escorting them to the next chief, but agreed to take half should it be paid in advance. Brooke objected, and in endeavouring to make clear his meaning, that he was not Mely to run away, put one hand in his pocket and another on the ohief's shoulder. The man resented this as an indignity and struck Brooke with his sword, inflicting a. bad wound. Brooke then drew his revolver and shot his assailant. The whole party, with the exception of two, was massacred. Many interesting incidents ef travel and sport are related, the chief animals being wild cattle and chamois; and there are some curious details of Tibetan life and manners.
Previous page
