S8 THE SHIKARI 



can be overcome it is surprising how long one can go 

 without. 



Food and Drink. — It is well to have a good break- 

 fast before starting, however early it maybe — something 

 substantial ; and for drink, coffee, which is more 

 sustaining than tea. Never under any consideration 

 have a nip of any sort of spirit, and do not take any 

 out with you, unless it be in a very cold or very wet 

 country ; but even then I do not agree with it. Have 

 your tot always after the return, when you really need 

 it ; then it will do you the most good. 



If you do take out drink and food, carry it, if 

 possible, yourself, especially the drink ; just a water- 

 bottle of diluted tea or coffee will carry you a long way 

 if taken sparingly. 



Also, always have a cartridge or two on yourself, but 

 let your tracker carry the rest ; and in most countries 

 this man, or a special gunbearer, carries your gun right 

 up to the time of taking the shot. 



If one is leaving the tracking or spooring entirely 

 to one's tracker, and is merely following close on 

 his heels, which has usually to be done in thick 

 country where game has to be approached very 

 close or it is not seen at all, it is often found that 

 the man carrying the gun is carrying it the right 

 way up on his shoulder (really the wrong way for 

 safe carrying in such a position), and that the muzzle 

 is pointing straight into your eye. 



In these cases it is not always policy to keep on 



