THE LAND OF FOOTPRINTS 



tested the rifle very thoroughly for accuracy. In spite 

 of careful cleaning the barrel was in several places 

 slightly corroded. For this the climate was responsi- 

 ble. The few small pittings, however, did not seem in 

 any way to have aff'ected the accuracy, as the rifle 

 shot the following groups: 3 J inches at 200 yards; 

 yl inches at 300 yards; and ii| inches at 500 yards.* 



These groups were not made from a machine rest, 

 however; as none was available. The complete 

 record with this arm for my whole stay in Africa 

 was 307 hits out of 395 cartridges fired, representing 

 185 head of game killed. Most of this shooting was 

 for meat and represented also all sorts of ** var- 

 mints" as well. 



The 405 Winchester: This weapon was sighted 

 like the Springfield, and was constantly in the 

 field as my second gun. For lions it could not 

 be beaten; as it was very accurate, delivered a hard 

 blow, and held five cartridges. Beyond 125 to 150 

 yards one had to begin to guess at distance, so for 

 ordinary shooting I preferred the Springfield. In 

 thick brush country, however, where one was likely 

 to come suddenly on rhinoceroes, but where one 

 wanted to be ready always for desirable smaller 

 game, the Winchester was just the thing. It was 



*It shot one five-shot i|-inch group at 200 yds., and several others at all 

 distances less than the figures given, but I am convinced these must have been 

 largely accidental. 



412 



