The art of travel : or, Shifts and contrivances available in wild countries

Born from a harsh expedition across South‑Western Africa in 1850‑51, this manual gathers the hard‑won wisdom of dozens of travelers, soldiers, missionaries and pioneers. Its author found existing guides woefully incomplete, so he set out to collect scattered anecdotes, test each technique, and distill a practical “art of travel.” The result is a compendium of rarely‑known tricks—from securing tent ropes in loose sand to navigating unfamiliar terrain—presented in clear, concise language.

The fifth edition expands the original work with fresh observations, such as the newly described flashing signals of Colomb and Bolton, while reorganising the material for easier reference. A detailed index lets readers locate specific advice quickly, making the volume a handy reference for anyone preparing to rough it in remote lands. Whether you’re an explorer charting unknown deserts or a soldier learning fieldcraft, the book offers grounded, time‑tested solutions that go beyond the usual handbook.