"Although my father was no traveller, I think I was born with the
wanderlust. I started to explore the world in my Harvard
vacations, and when college days were over I set about the
business whole-heartedly. Where I went and what I did, up to the
time that my travels led me to India, is of no interest to you or
to anybody else, because in India I found heaven and hell--a
discovery enough to satisfy the most adventurous man alive.
"At this present time, gentlemen, I am not going to load you with
geographical details. The exact spot at which my life ended, in a
sense which I presently hope to make clear, can be located at
leisure by the proper authorities, to whom I will supply a
detailed map which I have in my possession. I am even prepared to
guide the expedition, if the Indian Government considers an
expedition necessary and cares to accept my services. It's good
enough for you to know that pig-sticking and tiger-hunting having
begun to pall upon me somewhat, I broke away from Anglo-Indian
hospitality, and headed up country, where the Himalayas beckoned.
I had figured on crossing at a point where no man has crossed
yet, but that project was interrupted, and I'm here to tell you
why.
"Up there in the northwest provinces they told me I was crazy
when I outlined, one night in a mess, of which I was a guest at
the time, my scheme for heading northeast toward a tributary of
the Ganges which would bring me to the neighbourhood of
Khatmandu, right under the shadow of Everest.
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