4 THE SHIKARI 



On the trip eat well, avoid unboiled water, and don't 

 take alcohol till the sun has gone, and then sparingly. 

 An excellent plan is to have the tot just on sun- 

 down, and never take it any other time of the 

 day, except when coming in exhausted after an un- 

 usually long stalk or having been lost or got thoroughly 

 soaked with rain, then just a "wee drappie" may 

 save a nasty chill. 



Being wet through will do no harm as long as 

 walking is being done, but on reaching camp change 

 instantly, without any delay, have a good rub down, 

 the tot, and some hot coffee or cocoa. To sit about 

 in wet things is simply fatal. 



In Chapter IV the drink question when out stalk- 

 ing is touched upon, but though many men can 

 adapt themselves easily to any conditions, others 

 never can, and anyway a beginner should be very 

 careful not to do the things that are second nature 

 to the old hand immediately he starts off, otherwise 

 he may find that he will simply knock himself up 

 for the rest of the trip. 



Take things easy at first, not too long days, and 

 not too hard on one's muscles and stomach. Harbour 

 the strength and endurance, test yourself carefully 

 and never overdo it ; far better abandon an animal 

 in your first days than lay yourself up. 



Wear clothes that protect from the sun or the 

 cold, and at night sleep in pyjamas and blankets, 

 and, however hot the night, never leave the legs. 



