268 Life and Sport on the Pacific Slope 



a source of light in the long evenings, as well as 

 warmth. At the risk of provoking a laugh or a 

 sneer I shall advise the tyro to add a rubber hot- 

 water bottle to his kit. Upon a night that is likely 

 to prove extra cold, a good jorum of whisky and 

 water and the hot-water bottle in combination will 

 keep you snug and warm when others are shivering. 

 It would be unwise to use the hot- water bottle 

 regularly, but in cases of necessity it is worth its 

 weight in gold. 



In conclusion, Big Game shooting, like everything 

 else that is really worth while, exacts all the virile 

 qualities. A cheery resolution to meet disappoint- 

 ment and adversity with a grin will tide a man 

 over many a weary hour. For this reason alone it 

 is well to pick your " pal." A churl, no matter 

 what his other qualifications may be, will poison 

 your pleasure ; and his sour looks will breed snarls 

 and growls amongst your hired men. Some mighty 

 hunters prefer to hunt alone with a trusty Indian. 

 Most of us, however, have no stomach for pleasures 

 unshared by a friend. Around the camp-fire, I 

 have spent some of the happiest hours of my life. 

 Would they have been happy had I been alone ? I 

 doubt it. 



No man should brave the hardships of the wilder- 

 ness unless he be strong of body ; and even the 

 strongest suffer at first. For a fortnight you sleep 

 badly and wake stiff and unrefreshed, but when 

 your apprenticeship is served, you reap a rare re- 

 ward. The exhilaration of high health is a gift of 

 the gods known to few who dwell in cities. The 

 plain living, the pure air, the hard exercise, the 



