It Is Tropical Along the Athi River] [Photograph: Hippos in the Tana River] [Photograph: Our Camp Down on the Tana] Second in the list came our four gunbearers, all Somalis, they being considered the best gunbearers.

The duty of the gunbearer is always to be with you when you are hunting, to carry your gun, and to have it in your hand the instant it is needed.

Then there were four second gunbearers, who came along just behind the first gunbearers.

The second men were, in our case, selected from the native porters, and were subject to the orders of the first gunbearer.

The first gunbearer carries your field-glasses and your light, long-range rifle; the second gunbearer carries your camera, your water bottle, and your heavy cordite double-barreled rifle.