MY SOMALf BOOK 267 



men the single loading rifle has been a success in the 

 past. Our object is to find the best weapon for our 

 purpose, and the lack of a reserve cartridge is dis- 

 advantage enough to put this type of fke-arm out of 

 the running if a better is to be had. 



There remain the magazine and double rifles. The 

 former has a decided advantage in weight in rifles 

 of the same power, also in the number of reserve 

 cartridges. But there its advantages end. Mr. Sharp 

 remarks, " Three shots can be fired quicker from a 

 double rifle than three shots from existing magazine 

 bolt rifles." I am inclined to agree, but I have heard 

 the contrary view upheld, and A\'ould leave it an open 

 question. But it is beyond dispute that two shots from 

 a double rifle can be fired far more quickly than from 

 au}^ other, almost or quite simultaneously if desired ; 

 and it is this immediate second shot that is of such 

 value. In a large proportion of cases there would, 

 in the case of a charge, be no time for a third shot if 

 the first two were ineffective. 



Again, the double rifie is superior in balance. And 

 many sportsmen will agree with me that it is easier for 

 the eye to pick up quickly the sights between two 

 barrels than along a single barrel. Built too, as it is, 

 more on the lines of a shot gun, it is easier to align 

 correctly on a moving object, when there is no time for 

 sighting, than is a single barrel ; provided, of course, 

 that it is not too heavy. 



One objection to the magazine rifle consists in the 

 noisiness of its action when reloading. This would 

 matter little in the open, but there is no doubt that in 

 the jungle or m the hills this objection is a genuine one. 



