PREFACE 



In the following pages I give an account of some of my experiences with the big 

 game of Northern Rhodesia (or South Central Africa). 



Although the book is mainly about shooting in that country, I have also included 

 a few chapters on sport and travel in Nyasaland and Portuguese East Africa. 



Sporting literature on this part of Africa is not so common as that on countries 

 such as Southern Africa, British East Africa, Uganda, Somaliland, and the Nile 

 regions. 



Perhaps to many people this book may seem superfluous, as so much has already 

 been written on African shooting ; but big-game hunters, in my opinion, are always 

 ready to read about sport in countries so little known as this part of Africa, and 

 where they have not been themselves. 



Since I have lived in this country I have kept diaries of my hunting trips and 

 shooting experiences, but I have found it very difficult to prevent repetition, for to 

 the general reader accounts of shooting must have a sameness that may bore him. 



To prevent this repetition as much as possible, I have picked out the accounts 

 of certain trips, and have not given a description of all the experiences I have had 

 with game while in the country. 



I have no hairbreadth escapes to relate, although I have had a few exciting 

 experiences, which are the interesting part of big-game shooting. 



The game in this country is increasing rapidly, due to stringent game 

 regulations and preservation, and there is here a splendid field for the hunter- 

 naturalist. 



The free life in the bush is very fascinating to the lover of Nature in all her wild 

 forms, and a man always longs to return to such a country, teeming with game, again 

 and again. 



If these pages are of interest, or can give the slightest information to any 

 sportsman, I shall be amply recompensed for the trouble of writing them. Their 

 shortcomings are many; but I have written nothing that is not fact, and I would 

 always prefer to be busy with the rifle than with the pen. 



I apologise for the frequent use of the personal pronoun, but this is a fault 

 that is almost unavoidable in relating one's personal experiences. 



