"Great sport it is that the three hunters have with lions, elephants, alligators and serpents; but not so great that two young women cannot take part in it, and finally bag two of the hunters." - The Book Buyer Thomas Wallace Knox (1835 - 1896) was a big game hunter, journalist, famous author, and world traveler, known primarily for his work as a New York Herald correspondent during the American Civil War. As an author, Knox wrote over 45 books, including a popular series of travel adventure books. In 1895, he published the true story of his big game hunting adventures in Africa, "Hunters Three: Sport and Adventure in South Africa." Down to quite recently it was the custom for hunting parties of from two to five or six men to club together, buy an outfit, and go up-country on a hunting-expedition. If they are fairly successful the sale of the ivory and skins obtained on the expedition will cover all the expenses of it, and frequently leave a liberal profit to be divided at the end of the tour. It was an expedition of this sort which brought together the heroes of our story, "Hunters Three," and we will leave the reader to ascertain by perusal of the narrative the various adventures through which these young men passed. And it was a similar expedition, though made with less expectation of profit, that went out from Walvisch Bay to give two British women a chance at the big game of South Africa. Somehow the steps of these two expeditions trended in the same direction, and led to their meeting as detailed in the opening chapters of the narrative. That somebody should fall in love with somebody else as a result of the meeting was naturally to be expected. Knox's book of adventure was well received at the time of its publication: "'Hunters Three-Sport and Adventure in South Africa' promises another treat for the many readers of Col. Knox's writings. The name of the author alone will bring the volume into the hands of a waiting and appreciative circle of readers." - Sunday School Library Bulletin "It is full of thrilling adventures ..." - Public Opinion "A story of sport and adventure in South Africa, equal in interest to anything Knox has written. The two hunting parties will be eagerly followed through their various and thrilling adventures. That two of the hunters are young and charming women only adds to the interest of the story." The Churchman Although Knox entered Africa with the goal of hunting big game often it appeared that the roles were reversed. In describing hand to hoof combat with a water buffalo, Knox writes: "The buffalo could not get at me because the branches were too stout and too close together to enable him to get his horns under them, and for the same reason he could not get near enough to trample me with his hoofs. He walked round and round that tree, evidently trying to figure out some way of extracting me from that hole. Horns and hoofs were of no use, but he managed to insert his nose among the branches, and pounded me pretty hard with it . . ." He writes of being chased by an enraged elephant: "He trumpeted viciously. I looked back over my shoulder, and saw his trunk elevated in the air, and the animal coming on at full speed. .... It was the elephant's turn to think he had me now, as he whirled and followed at a great rate. Before reaching the foot of the hill I turned my horse quickly to one side, and the elephant, unable to stop, went crashing by me ..." Knox describes his method of bagging the last of his trophies in concluding his narrative: "We have become pretty well acquainted during our sojourn, and I have no hesitation in asking you, Miss Boland, to become my wife. Will you do so?" ... Miss Boland uttered the single word "Yes."