4 CHINESE TURKESTAN 



some sort are absolutely necessary, as accidents will 

 sometimes happen and amateur gun-repairing is not 

 of much account. Both rifles and guns should be 

 fitted with slings, which are a great convenience in 

 a rough country. With regard to the amount of 

 cartridges, since it is better to have a hundred too 

 many than one too few, I think I should take five 

 hundred small bore, one hundred express, and at 

 least two hundred shot, and twenty-five ball for gun. 

 I always take out at least fifteen to twenty rifle cart- 

 ridges with me ; one often uses a lot trying to stop a 

 wounded beast, and nothing is more annoying than 

 to run short, while the knowledge that one is likely 

 to do so is not at all conducive to good shooting. 



Leather is the best material for gun - covers. 

 Canvas wears out too quickly. Common leather 

 covers for gun -cases are very useful, as they save 

 a lot of wear and tear in travelling. Gun-cases are 

 usually filled with reloading implements and bullet 

 moulds, which are never used. It is always worth 

 a sportsman's while to see his guns cleaned himself, 

 and care should be taken to wipe all oil out of rifle- 

 barrels before starting in the morning, otherwise 

 the first shot is apt to go high. Leather cart- 

 ridge-pouches to go on belt to hold ten cartridges, 

 each in separate divisions, are very useful. Plenty 

 of good oil is the last but not the least important 

 item to mention. 



Saddle and Bridle. The saddle should be of 



