2° THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



bridle, and thus totally destroy the opportunity of taking anything 

 like an accurate aim. To a hunter, after undergoing the vicissitudes 

 of a long, tiring and exciting chase, this latter situation is calculated 

 to call forth language the reverse of parliamentary, apart from the 

 possibility of losing a good specimen. Another method constantly 

 in practice, although attended with a slight amount of danger, yet 

 nevertheless to be preferred to that just mentioned, is to obtain a 

 thin strip of prepared hide (braid reimpe) about a yard and a half 

 in length, to one end of which is attached an iron ring, an inch and 

 a half in diameter, the other end of which is fastened to the rider's 

 belt, the rein being run through the ring. In this manner a check 

 may be obtained on the horse's head without running so great a 

 risk of having the arm interfered with at the moment of shooting. 

 With a little patience, and at the cost of a few rounds of blank 

 cartridges, most horses ought in a short time to be taught to stand 

 fire steadily, but even in the most difficult cases this can be accom- 

 plished by tightly tying the head by the rein to either right or left 

 stirrup iron, and if, on firing, an attempt at bolting be made, the 

 animal will be compelled to run in a narrow circle, a proceeding of 

 which it will rapidly tire, and ultimately stand perfectly still. 



When hunting, after a chase is over, and indeed, at every avail- 

 able opportunity, the horses should be saddled off and knee-haltered 

 even for the shortest period of time. It is astonishing to observe 

 with what renewed vigour they will work after having had a good 

 roll in the sand. When very far from water, and in a flat bush 

 country devoid of landmarks, it is most unwise at any time to 

 permit even the best trained horse to go perfectly loose, as, in the 

 event of its running away (which it may often do in search of 

 water), the chance of being left alone in the wilderness may occur 

 — a position, it is needless to say, often attended with extreme 

 danger. In this event sportsmen are advised on no account to 

 at once commence running after the straying animal, and only, 

 where everything else fails, should the horse's spoor (footprints) 

 be followed, which, though it will eventually lead to water, may 

 not by any means be the nearest. It is a nasty situation, and one 

 that requires a considerable amount of calm consideration. If it 

 is supposed that any companions or natives are in the vicinity, 

 the best course that can be adopted, where practicable, is to set 

 fire to the dry grass, the smoke from which may possibly attract 

 attention. The possession of a compass may obviate any imminent 



