THE BATTERIES. 15 



sportsmen, who derided the luxurious fashion in 

 which it pleaseth some to follow sport. They had 

 plenty of beer, however, brandy, and a very little 

 wine for great occasions. A few potted meats, too, 

 and other articles hermetically sealed in tins, were 

 contained in the cooking boxes. They were kept as 

 a stand-by, should neither game nor meat be at any 

 time procurable. 



I have reserved to the last the description of the 

 most important portion of their equipment the 

 batteries. Mackenzie's consisted of a double gun 

 and a heavy double rifle, the latter throwing a 

 spherical bullet twelve to the pound. The bore 

 of the gun was 14, and both had been made to 

 order by an Edinburgh maker. He had also another 

 double gun, borrowed from a friend for the 

 occasion. 



Norman possessed a short double rifle what he 

 called a " plobby," one made by W. & C. Smith, a 

 very useful implement for jungle work; also a long 

 single rifle, throwing an ounce ball, very finely 

 sighted, and with a hair trigger. It was best 

 adapted for the nicety and correctness required in 

 antelope shooting, but was still a useful tool for a 

 long quiet shot, even in jungle. Lastly, he owned 

 a double shot gun No. 14 gauge made by a 

 country maker, and which had formed part of his 



