Sporting Notes in the Far East. 23 



over the circumstances when we got back to the bank. 



When alone, and you get into that awkward, but not uncommon 

 predicament of being thoroughly well bogged, and you cannot get 

 out, but are gradually sinking ; do not struggle. Firstly get rid of 

 the gun, and if you do not want to lose it, stick it upright in the mud 

 with the barrels down ; or should you have a gamebag or haversack, 

 take it off and lay the gun down horizontally on it ; then off coat 

 and shirt, make a bundle of each, and use them respectively for 

 supports for the hands ; and this done, you must make your effort 

 keeping the arms and body as horizontal as practicable, and 

 avoiding if possible your old tracks into the quagmire. To recover 

 the gun ; procure a couple of long sticks, and by careful manipu- 

 lation with one stick under the muzzle, and the other through the 

 trigger-guard, le fusil can soon be worked out of danger. 



If out shooting at any time accompanied by a servant, and he 

 gets tired (which is a matter of frequent occurrence) ; should you be 

 far from the boat, never attempt to send him back. " He has no 

 eye for country ! How could he ? On the contrary he was bred up 

 to be an unit in the finest infantry corps in the world:" For if you 

 do, the consequence is that the Royal Marine gets immediately 

 lost, and the remainder of your day's sport is spoilt by wondering 

 if the man will ever reach his destination. 



No ! send him to the top of the nearest hill, with orders not to 

 move till you come to fetch him. 



