SELOUS, Frederick Courteney (1851-1917). Hunter and explorer.
Autograph Letter Signed to Windley, 4 pages 8vo, Paris, 1 February 1897. With Windley's copy of Sunshine and Storm in Rhodesia, London 1896, second edition. The signature 'F. Windley' at the front. Expressing concern about Windley's brother, explaining his attempts to see Rhodes to try to assist him, though doubtful that he would have any useful influence in any event.

'I was much concerned to hear what you say about your brother. If I could possibly do anything to assist him in any way, you may depend upon it, I would do so, but I am afraid I have little influence to assist him with the rulers in Rhodesia. Yesterday I went to the Burlington Hotel to try and see Mr Rhodes, and put in a good word for your brother ... I don't know what I can do, and if I was to write to Rhodes I fear it would be of little use. I hope you will get better news soon about his leg. ... I sent him a copy of my book soon after I came home and hope it reached him safely.'

Selous' book, Sunshine & Storm in Rhodesia, in which there are five mentions of 'Captain' Windley, gives an account of his campaign in Matabeleland in 1895 when he helped to subdue the Matabele uprising. In the book, he refers to a narrow escape from probable death thanks to the help of a Lieutenant Windley who rescued him from Kafir pursuers when his horse ran away from him during a skirmish. The Edinburgh Gazette of 12 March 1897 lists a Lieutenant E.C. Windley of the Buluwayo Field Force as recommended for 'Conspicuous Gallantry in Action' for this event. It is likely that this is the brother Selous is referring to.

Selous had served for some time under Cecil Rhodes as guide and chief of intelligence to the 1890 pioneer column which occupied Mashonaland and founded Fort Salisbury. Following the publication of Sunshine & Storm in Rhodesia, he embarked upon a new career as a guide for European and American hunters on safari in Africa and his work attracted the attention of President Theodore Roosevelt, whome he accompanied on a shooting expedition to east Africa in 1909.
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