MY SOMALI BOOK 289 



througli a long and tiring day, hence we advocate a 

 small-bore." The writers continue that after the first 

 shot a big-bore in the hands of a gun-bearer might be 

 useful to meet a possible charge, but a gun-bearer is 

 only human and might not be on the spot. 



The fu-st statement is indubitably correct, but I 

 cannot entirely agree with its application. For one 

 thing, as 1 have already endeavoured to show, accuracy 

 in placing one's bullet is, at comparatively short range, 

 and at moving shots, largely dependent on the handi- 

 ness in which, personally, I find the double barrel (if not 

 too heavy) to be superior : of that more anon. Secondly, 

 by reason of the all-importance of the first shot, upon 

 which I have remarked in a previous chapter, it is 

 most desirable that if it fails to reach a vital spot its 

 shock-effect shall be as great as possible. And this 

 is where the light bullet fails. 



Much has been made of the success which well- 

 known hunters of big game like Selous and Neumann 

 have attained with the '303. But adequate importance 

 is not attached to the fact that these were first-class 

 shots, with great experience of their game under 

 varied conditions. A bad shot has no business trying 

 to shoot dangerous game. But the average shot, or 

 even the good shot with but limited experience, cannot 

 expect to place his bullet correctly under all circum- 

 stances. 



Now both the authors of Central AJrican Game are, 



I believe, undoubtedly good and experienced shots. 



But it is instructive to note that Captain Stigand has 



had more than his share of marvellous escapes — been 



mauled by a lion, tossed by a rhino, knocked down by 



u 



