APPENDICES 437 



useless things. Unless your gun boy constantly takes 

 out the cartridges in them, the dampness of your body 

 produces verdigris on the cases, and they stick. If the 

 leather cover over them is not buttoned, every drop of 

 rain falls full on the one exposed part of the cartridge, the 

 butt, and dampness once in there, a misfire is certain. 

 You cannot afford misfires in Africa. In thirteen months 

 constant shooting / had just one. Then I never carry my 

 cartridges on a leather belt, and if the rain has got into 

 my pocket, I promptly throw away the cartridges that had 

 been in it. I think the right pocket of the jacket, and if 

 you want to carry two sorts of cartridges, as sometimes you 

 will, the right trousers pocket, are the best places in which 

 to stow them. A big cotton handkerchief can be thrust 

 into the left breast pocket over the glasses. There will 

 then be little chance of their becoming thoroughly wetted. 

 Save your Zeiss glasses from wet. Once the dampness gets 

 in they must be cleaned or they may take weeks to dry off. 

 Always take an extra pair; you can get your money back 

 for them. Tobacco, pipe, matches, notebook, will fill the 

 other two jacket pockets. Compass, measuring tape, 

 pocket knife, and a bit of string, always useful, will fill 

 your capacious trousers pockets. If you are obliged, as I am, 

 to wear glasses, then have an extra big pocket made down 

 the front of your left leg. There carry your cases, and an 

 extra pair of spectacles. It is the safest side. Wear a 

 strong leather belt, with a short, light, tested, hunting 

 knife on it: wide in the blade; thin in the back. 



Always carry a whistle, and teach your men to come 

 immediately to its call. Never use it unless you want 

 instant obedience. Punish severely any and every one in 

 the sefari, from the headman down, if on giving the sig- 

 nal you employ, you are not immediately obeyed. Firm- 

 ness in such trifles means kindness in the end to the sefari, 

 and it may be safety, too. Never forget that on sefari you 



