294 SHOOTING IN CHINA 



take it that they are still "looking into it." 

 Seriously, it is very awkward even for those 

 who best know the country ropes to be left 

 stranded. 



In the " Sportsman's Diary for Shooting 

 Trips in North China " by Francis A. 

 Groom, I find some well considered hints as 

 to how the shooter should proceed when a 

 disturbance is likely to ensue, and as the 

 hints are as useful now as when written by 

 Mr. Groom many years ago they merit 

 reproduction as an instructive conclusion 

 to the above notes : 



A sportsman, when up-conntry, is liable 

 to get into trouble in more ways than one. 

 The most common occasions of collision 

 with the natives are : 



A hostile propensity on their own part. 



An accidental injury to one of their 

 number. 



Abuse or ill-usage of the people by the 

 sportsman's own boat's crew. 



In each of these cases, a little discretion 

 and care will invariably avert ill conse- 

 quences ; whereas rashness or impatience 

 may bring about the most unfortunate, and 

 even fatal results. It is difficult to lay 



