xvi BIG GAME AND BIG GAME HUNTING 175 



In open country, against elephants and 

 rhinoceroses, where the quarry is difficult to 

 approach and long shots are often required, I find 

 that I can do all that is requisite with a small bore 

 rifle, such as the '318, using, of course, solid nickel- 

 covered bullets, for, owing to the easy manipulation 

 afforded by such a weapon, a more deliberate aim 

 can be taken than with a heavy rifle. 



I have dwelt at some length on this subject of 

 rifles, for I feel that the matter is one of importance, 

 from the point of view not only of the hunter, but 

 of the game. The point of view on which I insist 

 is one of common humanity, and the young hunter 

 should think deeply over the subject of weapons 

 before going out against game with any small bore 

 magazine rifle. For, as I have already said, the 

 penetration of these rifles is great and the bullet so 

 small, that an animal hit in any but a vital spot may 

 escape to die in agony in the bush, while the sports- 

 man, finding that he has not bagged his quarry, often 

 indiscriminately empties his magazine into other 

 animals of the herd, trusting to drop one or more out 

 of the number. There is no censure strong enough for 

 this reckless cruelty, and I feel that much of it 

 would assuredly be avoided, if the hunter would 

 only give the foregoing notes his careful 

 consideration. 



