of order. Nothing gives such confidence to the gun-
-bearers as the fact of their rifles being good slayers,
and they quickly learn to take a pride in their weapons,
and to strive in the race to hand the spare rifles. Dust
storms, such as I have constantly witnessed in Africa,
would be terrible enemies to breechloaders, as the
hard sand, by grating in the joints, would wear away
the metal, and destroy the exactness of the fittings.
A small handy double rifle, such as my little
Fletcher 24, not exceeding eight pounds and a half, is
very necessary, as it should seldom be out of the hand.
Such a rifle should be a breechloader, as the advantage
of loading quickly while on horseback is incalculable.
Hunting-knives should be of soft steel,
similar to butchers knives; but one principal knife
to be worn daily should be of harder steel, with
•the back of the blade roughed and case-hardened
like a butcher’s steel, for -sharpening other knives
when required.
. All boxes for rough travelling should be made of
strong metal, japanned. These are a great comfort, as
-they are proof both against insects and weather, and
•can be towed with their contents across a river.
Travelling is now so generally understood, that it
-is hardly necessary to give any instructions for the
exploration of wild countries; but a few hints may be
•acceptable upon points that, although not absolutely
essential, tend much to the comfort of the traveller. A
couple of large carriage umbrellas with double lining,
with small rings fixed to the extremities of the ribs,
and a spike similar to that of a fishing-rod to screw
into the handle; this will form an instantaneous
shelter from sun or rain during a halt on the march, as
a few strings from the rings will secure it from the
wind, if pegged, to the ground. Waterproof calico
sheeting should be taken in large quantities, and a
tarpaulin to protect the baggage during the- night’s
bivouac. No vulcanised Indian-rubber should be em-
ployed in tropical climates ; it rots, and becomes
useless. A quart syringe for injecting brine into fresh
meat is very necessary. In hot climates, the centre of
the joint will decompose before the salt can penetrate
to the interior, but an injecting syringe will thoroughly
preserve the meat in a few minutes. A few powerful
fox-traps are useful for catching night-game in countries
where there is no large game for the rifle: also
wire is useful for making springs.
Several sticks of Indian-ink are convenient, as sufficient
can be rubbed up in a few moments to write up
the note-book during the march. All journals and
note-books should be of tinted paper, green, as the
glare of white paper in the intense sunlight of the
open sky is most trying to the eyes. Burning glasses
and flint and steels are very necessary. Lucifer
matches are dangerous, as they may ignite and destroy
your baggage in dry weather, and become utterly
useless in the damp.
A large supply of quicksilver should be taken for
the admixture with lead for hardening bullets, in addition
to that required for the artificial horizon; the