2 jo Wild Life in Central Africa. 



Hunting knives, as usually sold by cutlers, are useless ; 

 when they get blunt they cannot be sharpened without the 

 use of a grindstone, and a file will not usually cut them. 



The best knife to carry is a strong two-bladed pocket 

 knife, and some spare ones might be taken. Get shackles 

 fitted to these to fix to a chain, or to the catch on the 

 body belt. 



Then half-a-dozen soft steel butcher's knives, known as 

 " The Bushman's Friend " or " Green River Knife," should 

 be included for cutting up game, and a strip of emery 

 stone is a most handy adjunct, as well as a small hone. An 

 American axe, a soft steel one, is a tool that should 

 always be taken ; and a pair of pincers or pliers, a few 

 files, some emery cloth, some screws and nails, a small 

 hammer, and a small hand vice will all, at times, be 

 needed for doing some small job. 



I have found a narrow keyhole saw r handy, and, of course, 

 several screwdrivers will be included, with spare parts for 

 the rifles. 



For cleaning weapons, vaseline and Rangoon oil are as 

 good as anything, and I rub plenty of the former on the 

 stocks of rifles to make them waterproof. 



A big waterproof sheet, several green canvas bags with 

 staples and padlocks ; and one, or two, watertight tin 

 cases should be bought for putting the various kit into. 



A most important item is good footgear, and nothing can 

 beat boots fitted with rubber pads known as Scarfe's 

 patent. In the dry season boots with chrome soles last 

 well ; but it is better to get bars or nails fitted, or they will 

 become slippery on dry grass and leaves. These chrome 

 soles are no good for the rainy season, as they get soft and 

 sodden with wet. 



One cannot go silently when wearing heavy shooting 

 boots. Rubber soled boots or shoes are splendid for the 

 grip and silent going ; but then they are unbearably hot in 

 the tropics and soon get cut to bits. 



Shorts, the same as runners or rowers use at home, 

 made of a greenish brown khaki, gabardine, or garbette, 



