MY SOMALI BOOK 307 



citing the opinions of an experienced East African 

 sportsman in support of my views. Sir Alfred Pease 

 writes in the letter to The Field previously mentioned : 

 " I have never advocated rifles of this class (-256) for 

 close quarters with lions, and, though I have killed 

 many lions with the '256, I have killed most of them 

 at long range, and generally with a 10- bore held in 

 reserve. I consider that "400 is the smallest bore 

 modern rifle suitable for dangerous game at close 

 quarters." Again, " while few men shoot as well with 

 a heavy rifle as a small one . . . the *400 is not too 

 heavy a rifle to become handy with or for daily use." 

 And, " the superiority of 10- and 12-bore weapons 

 (shot-and-ball guns) is, in the case of lions, marked . . . 

 where knock-out shots must be given within twenty- 

 five yards range." 



I must acknowledge my indebtedness to Major 

 Glasfurd's book already mentioned, which some years 

 ago strengthened the opinions I had already formed, 

 and which subsequent experience has amply confirmed. 

 Therefore I do not think that I can conclude better 

 than by a further quotation from his book. 



" No satisfactory truly all-round rifle yet exists . . . 

 Allowing that a smokeless propellent is in all ways 

 superior to black powder, the rest is a question of a 

 man's build and physique. If he can handle it, the 

 bigger the bore the better for close jungle work. For 

 ponderous game the medium bore cordite rifle comes 

 in first favourite. For dangerous soft-skinned game, 

 at close ranges, the ball and shot gun of the Paradox 

 type not smaller than 12-bore. . . . Except for use 

 on ponderous game, with proper bullet, the high 



