XVI 
BIG GAME AND BIG GAME HUNTING 
i75 
In open country, against elephants and 
rhinoceroses, where the quarry is difficult to 
approach and long shots are often required, I find 
that I can do all that is requisite with a small bore 
rifle, such as the ‘318, using, of course, solid nickel- 
covered bullets, for, owing to the easy manipulation 
afforded by such a weapon, a more deliberate aim 
can be taken than with a heavy rifle. 
I have dwelt at some length on this subject' of 
rifles, for I feel that the matter is one of importance, 
from the point of view not only of the hunter, but 
of the game. The point of view on which I insist 
is one of common humanity, and the young hunter 
should think deeply over the subject of weapons 
before going out against game with any small bore 
magazine rifle. For, as I have already said, the 
penetration of these rifles is great and the bullet so 
small, that an animal hit in any but a vital spot may 
escape to die in agony in the bush, while the sports¬ 
man, finding that he has not bagged his quarry, often 
indiscriminately empties his magazine into other 
animals of the herd, trusting to drop one or more out 
of the number. There is no censure strong enough for 
this reckless cruelty, and I feel that much of it 
would assuredly be avoided, if the hunter would 
only give the foregoing notes his careful 
consideration. 
