42 THE SPORTSMAN'S VADE-MECUM 



of one of them does not matter so much, as it would if there were 

 four broad slides instead of eight narrow ones, as in the sketch. 

 It should fit into a small tin case. Mind the handle and top are 

 riveted to the frames, as the heat will often melt solder, and the 

 whole top will come off. The bottom should have a bayonet- 

 locking arrangement, as it is called, to enable one to put in the 

 candle conveniently. The top frame should open on a hinge, to 

 allow new glasses or pieces of tin to be inserted, should the others 

 get broken. In its tin case it can be carried safely by a man with 

 any load, or by your servant. 



A water-bottle should be of vulcanite, to hold about two or three 

 pints. It is covered with felt, which saves it from being broken, 

 besides keeping the contents hot or cold, according to the tempera- 

 ture they are at when put in. Keeping the felt damp will insure a 

 cold drink on the hottest day. Never buy an enamelled iron one ; I 

 had such an one, and found it most repulsive in the Soudan. 

 Cold tea turned to ink, owing to the action of the tannin on the 

 iron exposed by the enamel chipping off, and I literally drank ink 

 during some thirsty night marches ; it was horrible ! 



A leather mussuck and chargul should be procured before entering 

 the hills ; excellent ones may be ordered from Cawnpore. The 

 first is always useful in camp, the second when marching or shoot- 

 ing on hot ground. The mussuk need not be made of an entire 



CHARGUL 



skin ; about one-half, or a small sheepskin, is ample. The chargul 

 should hold three or four quarts of water ; it is practically a large 

 leather bottle, with a tin spout, and keeps the water inside deli- 

 ciously cool by the evaporation on the outside of what soaks 

 through the sides (see sketch). 



