388 



BIG GAME SHOOTING 



belts have. The object of this fastening I suppose is to reflect 

 the sun's rays and make a dazzling spot of light on the abdo- 

 men of the hunter, about as useful in attracting the attention 

 of every living thing as anything which the ingenuity of the 

 gentlemen who sell ' sporting goods ' could contrive. Metal 

 buttons, metal watch-chains, uncovered rifle barrels, and even 

 the end of your stalking glass, will reflect the sun's rays in the 

 same dangerous manner, so that though you may be otherwise 

 unnoticed, the attention of your quarry will be drawn to what 

 appears to him to be a little star amongst the grass on the other 

 side of the ravine. Added to the dangers of their appearance 

 is the danger that if you wear any metal trappings about your 

 person, they may ring against one another terribly loud and clear 

 just at the moment when even the beating of your own heart 

 seems unwarrantably and absurdly noisy. For these reasons 

 avoid metal adornments ; keep a loose cover 

 over your rifle barrels, be careful not to catch 

 the sun's rays with your glass when spying, use 

 a watch-chain of buckskin, and don't carry a 

 lot of loose change in your trousers pocket. 



Attached to your belt will probably be a 

 knife for administering a coup de grace, and for 

 skinning. If you would not lose it, adopt some 

 such plan for securing it as is suggested by the 

 accompanying woodcut. None of the ordinary 

 spring fastenings are proof against the rough 

 usage of the hills. 



If you wear knickerbockers, have them made 

 loose at the knee, so as not to hamper you in 

 your stride up hill, or wear them unfastened 

 at the knee ; but though less smart in appear- 

 ance, ordinary tweed or flannel trousers, with the bottoms 

 tucked into a stout pair of woollen socks, are as workman- 

 like as anything ever made. 



Whatever you do, don't wear canvas overalls, although you 



Knife 

 fastening 



