176 BIG GAME SHOOTING 
CHAPTER VIII 
THE CARAVAN, HEADMAN, GUN-BEARERS, ETC. 
By F. J. JACKSON 
THE sportsman having decided on the districts which he in- 
tends to visit, and on the time to be spent approximately ineach, 
and having obtained all the latest information as to the quantity _ 
and quality of goods required for barter purposes, presents, &c., 
the caravan (‘safari’) must be got together and organised. The 
first thing to be done is to engage a really good headman 
(‘neapara’). Should the sportsman be fortunate enough to have 
such a one recommended to him who both knows the country 
and his work—the latter being far more important than the 
former —it would be advisable to engage him even though the 
pay he demands be high. So much depends on the headman 
that a really good one is worth a dozen who call themselves 
neapara, but who in reality are little better than porters. A 
good neapara not only knows his position in the caravan, but — 
will take care to maintain his authority and command respect ~ 
from those under him. One who hob-nobs and plays cards _ 
with the porters—and this is by no means an uncommon prac- © 
tice—soon loses all control over them, and will become weari- 7] 
some with his complaints of their insubordination and indo- 3 
lence. The duties of a headman are not only to look afterhis ~ 
master’s property, but to see that everybody else does his duty, ~ 
and he is responsible for the general working of the caravan. — 
The headman superintends the buying of food and the issuing of — 
© posho’ (daily allowance of food) to the men. In this matter, — 
