352 RESPECTING KIT, ETC. 



leisure hours by recalling to his mind some of the scenes 

 and incidents of his own experiences. 



To such as consider competition in scoring a big bag more 

 than the beauties of nature, combined with real wild sport, 

 my sentiments have perhaps been rather freely expressed. 

 But in giving vent to them I feel sure I only echo the voice 

 of the majority ; for it behoves every one who has the in- 

 terests of sport truly at heart, to strive as far as possible to 

 discourage cruel, useless, and indiscriminate destruction of 

 game at all seasons in a country where there are no strictly 

 enforced laws for its protection. 



One object at any rate will have been attained, if the un- 

 varnished sketches of wild Himalayan life and sport I have 

 endeavoured to portray may, in conjunction with other 

 works on the same subject, offer an incitement for young 

 hands going to India to spend some of their spare time 

 there profitably for both mind and body, in visiting these 

 grand and inexhaustible hunting-grounds. But those who 

 hope to be successful in Himalayan sport must be prepared 

 to undergo a good deal of trouble, toil, and frequent disap- 

 pointment, and to have a fair stock of those cardinal virtues 

 in all manly sports — namely, patience, endurance, and per- 

 severance. For no one ought to start with the idea that 

 game will always be found wherever it is sought after, be 

 the ground ever so good. 



By the inexperienced in rough mountain work, it may 

 perhaps be expected that I should offer a few suggestions 

 respecting the kit which ought to be taken on a hunting-trip 

 to the Himalayas. Well, to those I say, take nothing from 

 your own country beyond the requirements of an ordinary 

 traveller, except your battery, — a double 500-bore Express 

 rifle, and a 12 -bore gun for ball or shot, will, I think, be 

 ample ; its ammunition ; a good telescope with large field ; 

 and, if you be disciples of the immortal Izaak, your fishing- 

 tackle. To these may be added a couple of pairs of strong 

 shooting-boots well shod with square-headed nails, and a few 



