62 WAGNER and BREVOR 



Unless actually attacked the traveller, if not a first-rate shot, is 

 strongly urged to leave dangerous animals, such as lions, leopards, 

 buffalos and rhinos severely alone. There have been numerous 

 fatalities through inexperienced persons being too venturesome in 

 this respect. For defensive purposes against large carnivora a shot 

 gun loaded with S. S. Gf. cartridges is a far more useful weapon in 

 the hands of most people than a rifle. Pistols shooting special car- 

 tridges loaded with NO. 4 shot are carried by some travellers as a 

 protection against snakes. 



With regard to knives, large hunting knives are only useful for 

 show and high quality knives of any description are not nearly as 

 useful as the cheap soft steel variety, being far more liable to chip 

 in the hard usages of the veld. 



Field Glasses, Compass etc. Good field glasses are a sine qua non 

 especially in bush country. 



Every member of the party should also be made to carry a pocket 

 compass to avoid the danger of being lost. Travellers should, however, 

 accustom themselves to take their bearings by the sun and stars. 

 There should also be a pre-arranged signal, such as two shots fired 

 in rapid succession, in the event of anyone being bushed. Another 

 effective signalling devise is a column of smoke. 



An excellent plan for fixing a line of march in bush country is 

 to break down a small branch every ten or twenty paces in such 

 a manner as to leave it suspended. This is simpler and more effective 

 than blazing trees. 



Grass Fires. In some areas grass fires are a constant source of 

 danger to the traveller during the dry season of the year. The 

 only thing to do if threatened by one is to set fire to the grass 

 in one's immediate neighbourhood, burning off a large patch or 

 better still a broad fire-ring, and then to get into the middle of 

 this. A bundle of dry grass makes an excellent torch and if there 

 is any wind, an area or ring big enough to give complete immunity 

 even to a large expedition can be burned off in a very short space of time. 



Dogs. Dogs are a valuable adjunct to any expedition but have 

 to be carefully looked after, particularly during the summer months 

 when they are very liable to pick up ticks and develop Billiary 

 fever. A native should, therefore, be set aside to examine them 

 for ticks at least once a day. 



If a dog develops Billiary fever indicated by complete loss 



