204 INDIAN BIG GAME chap. 



sight and this is apt to put one off. Also, should 

 the animal move off, and a running shot be 

 necessary, one is shooting in blinkers with a 

 telescope. 



I am inclined to think some of the American 

 sights are ahead of our own as regards illumina- 

 tion, but I write without personal experience. 



Skinning. — One must learn to skin really well. 

 Few sportsmen are masters of this art. Even 

 when the art is mastered it is sound to take out 

 an Indian skinner if good sport is anticipated. To 

 skin all night and shoot all day is killing work. 



Language. — Shooting out of my own country 

 of late, I have felt more than ever how helpless 

 one is with signs as the sole means of com- 

 munication. The more the sportsman knows of 

 the language the better will be his sport, and the 

 more he will be in touch with local hopes, fears, 

 and difficulties. 



Boots. — For " still hunting " all-rubber soles 

 of the best and softest rubber are unequalled. 

 Next best but not so good are ordinary soles with 

 patent rubber attachments. Rope soles are com- 

 fortable but not as silent. 



Medical. — One should not go on a long trip 

 without a knowledge of how to diagnose and 

 treat simple ailments — fever, diarrhoea, dysentery, 

 cholera, snake-bite, and the like. The sportsman's 

 doctor friend will soon teach him this and also the 

 treatment of simple fractures. 



I never travel a yard in the jungle now without 

 a little pouch on my belt containing a good 

 lancet and permanganate of potash for snake- 

 bite. 



