208 REMARKS ON LARGE-GAME SHOOTING. 



that I never fire at random, and thereby render futile the care he has taken 

 to bring me up to game. 



Much judgment, only to be acquired by experience, is necessary for 

 success in large-game shooting. When an animal is suddenly pointed out 

 to the young sportsman his first idea is that it will vanish in another 

 moment, and his impulse is to fire at any part of it visible. Thus, though 

 most jungle-shots are within fifty yards, and it is not difficult to hit an 

 animal at that distance, some sportsmen are as often unlucky as successful 

 in eventually getting it ; for there is a great difference between hitting and 

 bagging. Unless the ball of even the most powerful rifle be well placed 

 behind the shoulder, or in the head or neck, a stricken beast will frequently 

 travel for miles ; and through the intervention of night, or a heavy shower 

 that obliterates its tracks, it may be lost. It is more sportsmanlike even to 

 let a doubtful opportunity pass than to make a hurried and uncertain shot, 

 which too often but leads to wounding and losing game. Moreover, nothing 

 discourages a really good tracker more than having random shots fired at 

 animals which he has been at the trouble of following for miles, and winch 

 one moment's coolness would have brought to bag. Much more of the dif- 

 ference between successful and unsuccessful sportsmen with large game is 

 due to knowledge of such points, and to self-control, than to their respec- 

 tive attainments as marksmen. Glaringly uncertain chances should never be 

 taken. Useless firing disturbs the jungle, and an occasional success is a poor 

 recompense for frequent disappointment. Men who constantly blame their 

 " bad luck " may be fairly regarded with suspicion. Things fall out unfor- 

 tunately at times, but as a set-off, equally bright moments are not uncom- 

 mon. Such a thing as constant bad luck to the persevering and thoughtful 

 sportsman — even though a tyro — I need hardly say there cannot be. 



One of the most useful lessons of the sportsman's pursuits is to teach 

 him the value of perseverance. The successful hunter must always be a 

 determined one. All such can count in their experiences many triumphant 

 chases, made so by persistence when all hope had apparently vanished. 

 Another half-hour's pursuit has frequently changed what without it would 

 have been a blank day into a red - letter one. Such successes are those 

 which are most highly valued. What satisfaction would there be in catch- 

 ing a fox in a mile ? or in hearing a young lady say " yes " the first time 

 one asked her ? 



The next elephants I went after were four solitary animals, on different 

 occasions, of which I bagged two and lost two. They were all individuals 

 which were destructive to villagers' crops, and which I obtained permission 

 to shoot wherever and whenever I met them. 1 then sallied forth after 



