In close quarters, as in a lion fight, the first gunbearer crouches at your elbow, hands the big rifle to you; you fire, and he immediately takes the rifle and places in your hands the other rifle, ready for firing.

By the time you have fired this one the first is again ready, and in this way you always have a loaded rifle ready for use.

There frequently is no time for turning around, and so the first gunbearer is at your elbow with the barrel of one rifle pressed against your right leg that you may know that he is there.

Sometimes they run away, but the Somali gunbearers are the most fearless and trustworthy, and seldom desert in time of need.

The gunbearer has instructions never to fire unless his master is disarmed and down before the charge of a beast.