CAMP COMFORTS. 20 [ 



less distance than I made my bungle over. No; 

 night shooting is very uncertain work, and a know- 

 ledge of this has made me practise it less than I 

 otherwise would have done. Moreover, I do not 

 think that it is a sportsman-like way of killing game, 

 when other methods can be adopted. With the 

 professional ivory hunter it is different, for his living 

 depends upon the number of the beasts he slays. 

 However, I would give him a piece of advice — never 

 ascend a tree, but shoot from a skerm — a hole very 

 like a grave, cut in the ground, and, if possible, sur- 

 rounded with large stones or heavy boughs of trees, 

 because, being low down, you can see the outline of 

 the game's form, even in a very dark night, when 

 your knowledge of the animal's figure will tell you 

 pretty closely where to put your bullets. 



When shooting after such a fashion as last men- 

 tioned, the best chance of success is to fix your eye 

 steadily on where you wish to place your lead, and 

 then fire a snap shot — in fact, do pretty much as 

 you would when shooting rabbits in thick coverts. 



Bed and camp I found very comfortable after 

 the long, tedious, and uncomfortable wait ; so, after 

 a hot glass of grog, Sunday and self were soon 

 sound asleep in our respective dormitories, although 

 the chambers were only rush huts, and the pallets a 

 thick covering of grass over the bare ground. So 

 much for outdoor life and plenty of exercise. 



