THE LAND OF FOOTPRINTS 



ally take the rifle from my shoulder between each 

 shot. Even aimed rapid fire is of no great value as 

 compared with better aimed slower fire. The first 

 bullet delivers to an animal's nervous system about 

 all the shock it can absorb. If the beast is not there- 

 by knocked down and held down, subsequent shots 

 can accomplish that desirable result only by reach- 

 ing a vital spot or by tearing tissue. As an example 

 of this I might instance a waterbuck into which I 

 saw my companions empty five heavy 465 and double 

 500 bullets from cordite rifles before it fell! Thus 

 if the game gets to its feet after the first shock, it is 

 true that the hunter will often empty into it six or 

 seven more bullets without apparent result, unless 

 he aims carefully for a centrally vital point. It 

 follows that therefore a second shot aimed with 

 enough care to land it in that point is worth a lot 

 more than a half dozen delivered in three or four 

 seconds with only the accuracy necessary to group 

 decently at very short range, even if all of them hit 

 the beast. I am perfectly aware that this view will 

 probably be disputed; but it is the result of con- 

 siderable experience, close observation and real in- 

 terest in the game. The whole record of the Win- 

 chester was 56 hits out of 70 cartridges fired; rep- 

 resenting 27 head of game. 

 The 465 Holland & Holland double cordite rifle. 

 414 



