First Sentence

"IN this uncertain world, where the promise of to-day is so often of necessity broken by the event of to-morrow, it gives me great pleasure that I am afforded an opportunity of redeeming the pledge I made in my last work to continue the narrative of my travels; and, as I am no longer on the wing, passing rapidly from scene to scene, from country to country, exposed alternately to disease and danger, or liable, when taking notes, to be seized as a spy or a sorcerer by the inhabitants of the half-civilized countries I explored, I hope to be able to render my pages more worthy the perusal of my readers."