PKEFACE 



Of the making of books upon big game shooting, of 

 late years, there may seem to be no end. For the 

 production of another some apology may appear neces- 

 sary. But I liave no intention of apologising. This 

 book was written in the first instance for my own 



* amusement, during a period when I found myself 

 stationed in an out-of-the-way corner of India, where of 

 other white men there were none. If an excuse be 

 needed for its publication, it may perhaps be found in 

 the fact that whereas there have been many recent 

 works upon sport in other parts of Africa, Somaliland 

 has for a number of years been left out in the cold. 

 Moreover, judging by myself, I believe that a new 

 work of this kind, provided it be true, will always be 

 of interest to the brotherhood of big game hunters — 

 no small class at the present day. That this book of 

 mine will make any appeal to a wider public is more 

 than I can venture to expect ; though to some few, 

 especially if they be lovers of Nature, I hope that it 

 may. To this end the pen-and-ink sketches with which 

 it is illustrated should be of material assistance, for I 

 am confident I shall not be alone in thinking them 



J attractive ; and I cannot be suflflciently grateful to 

 their creator, my friend Mr. Haskard, for the pains 



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