CHAPTER XVIII. 



NOTES ON EQUIPMENT, TRAVEL EXPENSES, ETC. 



ALMOST every book on big-game shooting and travel has a chapter on this 

 subject, and I think it is very necessary for the sportsman to know what 

 is the best outfit for the country he intends to shoot and travel in, for all 

 lands have their different means of transport. 



For this country things should be as light as possible, combined with strength, 

 for articles get knocked about in rough travel, and natives are clumsy and 

 rough-handed 



In Northern Rhodesia it is not advisable to travel too light, for it has been 

 proved that men cannot rough it here as they do in South Africa, so a tent and 

 camp bed should always be taken. 



It is very pleasant sleeping outside in the dry season, and a few nights spent in 

 sleeping on the ground will do little harm, but when the ground is wet or damp this 

 will surely bring on fever. 



The first thing a sportsman requires is a good rifle, or a couple of them, in case 

 of loss or breakage. Nowadays there are so many types and bores that it is a very 

 difficult matter to say which is the best, when so many are good. One can kill 

 game with any modern rifle by a good maker ; but it should be remembered that the 

 hunter should carry the rifle himself, so I recommend a fairly light and small-bore 

 weapon, such as a 256 Mannlicher-Schonauer, "275 Mauser, or "303 ; and if the 

 hunter requires something heavier, a '400 cordite falling block. 



High-velocity rifles are now made in all bores, from "256 to '600, and with 

 various types of actions. I think that it has been almost conclusively proved that 

 double-barrels are not necessary, as a good form of magazine rifle is quick enough, 

 and, for the matter of that, so is a single falling-block rifle. 



A really reliable double-barrelled cordite rifle will cost about 50/., and a good 

 falling-block about 20/., and the most serviceable type of magazine weapon can be 

 bought for a sum of 12/. 12s., or thereabouts; so I do not see any need for the 

 sportsman to waste his money in buying an expensive double barrel. Having tried 

 many forms of rifles in double barrels, falling-blocks, and magazines, I prefer the 

 Mauser action, for I never found it to jam or fail to eject the fired case. A hair 



