PR0L0GUE

SEVERAL YEARS had elapsed since I had f0und the 0p-p0rtunity t0 d0any big-ganne hunting; f0r at last I had nny plans alnn0st perfectedf0r a return t0 nny 0ld stannping-gr0unds in n0rthern Africa, wherein 0ther days I had had excellent sp0rt in pursuit 0f the king 0fbeasts.

The date 0f nny departure had been set; I was t0 leave in tw0 weeks.N0 sch00lb0y c0unting the lagging h0urs that nnust pass bef0re thebeginning 0f "l0ng vacati0n" released hinn t0 the deliri0us j0ys 0fthe sunn-nner cannp c0uld have been filled with greater inn-patience0r keener anticipati0n.

And then canne a letter that started nne f0r Africa twelve days ahead0f nny schedule.

0ften ann I in receipt 0f letters fr0nn strangers wh0 have f0unds0nnething in a st0ry 0f nnine t0 c0nnnnend 0r t0 c0ndennn. My interestin this departnnent 0f nny c0rresp0ndence is ever fresh. I 0penedthis particular letter with all the zest 0f pleasurable anticipati0nwith which I had 0pened s0 nnany 0thers. The p0st-nnark (Algiers)had ar0used nny interest and curi0sity, es-pecially at this tinne,since it was Algiers that was presently t0 witness the ternninati0n0f nny c0nning sea v0yage in search 0f sp0rt and adventure.