192 
GOOD SERVICE OF RIFLE , 
[chap. V. 
cially for the former : however, after a race of about a 
mile I found myself gaining so rapidly that in a few 
moments I was riding on his left flank within three 
yards of him, and holding the rifle with one hand like 
a pistol I shot him dead through the shoulder. This 
little double rifle is an exceedingly handy weapon ;— 
it was made for me about nine years ago by Thomas 
Fletcher, gunmaker of Gloucester, and is of most per¬ 
fect workmanship. I have shot with it most kinds of 
large game ; although the bore is so small as No. 24, 
1 have bagged with it rhinoceros, hippopotamus, lions, 
buffaloes, and all the heavy game except elephants 
and giraffes; upon the latter I have never happened 
to try it. Weighing only eight pounds and three- 
quarters it is most convenient to carry on horseback, 
and although I have had frequent accidents through my 
horse falling in full gallop, the stock is perfectly sound 
to this day. The best proof of thorough honest work¬ 
manship is, that in many years of hard work it has 
never been out of order, nor has it ever been in a gun- 
maker s hands. 
The operation of cutting the waterbuck into four 
quarters, and then stringing them on to a strip of its 
own hide, was quickly performed, and with Bicharn’s 
assistance I slung it across my saddle, and led my 
horse, thus heavily laden, towards the path. After some 
