6 
WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WA VS 
CHAP. 
of the boxwood cone, which, acting like a wedge, 
would expand the lead, thus immediately secured 
within the barrel. The expansion when fired drove 
the boxwood into the centre of the bullet, which of 
necessity took the rifling. 
The Boxer bullet superseded the boxwood plug 
by the use of a piece of burnt clay, which was less 
expensive and equally serviceable. 
Before breechloaders were invented, we were 
obliged to fit out a regular battery of four double 
rifles for such dangerous game as elephants, buffa¬ 
loes, etc., as the delay in re-loading was most annoy¬ 
ing and might lead to fatal accidents. 
In hot damp climates it became necessary to fire 
off and clean the entire battery every evening, lest 
a miss-fire should be the consequence upon the fol¬ 
lowing morning from the condensation of moisture 
in the nipple during night. This was not only great 
trouble and a wasteful expenditure of ammunition, 
but the noise of so many loud reports just at the 
hour when wild animals were on the move, alarmed 
the country. Trustworthy gun-carriers are always 
difficult to procure, and it was by no means un¬ 
common that in moments of danger, when the spare 
rifles were required, the gun - bearers had bolted 
from the scene, and the master was deserted. 
The introduction of breechloaders has made 
shooting a luxury, and has obviated the necessity of 
a large battery of guns. For military purposes the 
breechloader has manifold advantages—as the soldier 
can load while lying down, and keep up a rapid fire 
