RIFLEMEN OF THE ALPS. 167 



as a standing-place for the shooters, and, after placing a detonating cap 

 on the nipple of his rifle, take aim, and fire. Several others followed. 

 I distinctly heard each ball strike and penetrate the target, the marker 

 coolly remaining in the same position, with the children sitting by his 

 side ! The first shot was an elderly gentleman, apparently about sixty 

 years of age ; time, however, appeared to have in nowise dimmed the 

 keenness of his eye. After discharging his rifle, he immediately testified 

 the highest glee, and with an accuracy for which I can by no means 

 account, indicated the exact spot where his shot had penetrated. ec C'est 

 dans le centre, cest dans le centre ; pas mauvais, au contraire, bien bon" 

 exclaimed he, which the marker confirmed by taking off his hat, and 

 making the veteran marksman a low bow ; then falling on the ground, 

 he lay a few moments in that position, and rising, placed his white staff 

 upon the exact spot where the ball had entered A peg of wood, a sup- 

 ply of which lay under each target, was then driven into the hole, and 

 the firing recommenced. Three-fourths of those present shot with asto- 

 nishing accuracy; none missed the target, and nearly all drove their 

 balls directly into the centre at each discharge. 



The Swiss are, in general, a very kind-hearted, hospitable people. 

 Though a perfect stranger to the party, I received frequent invitations 

 to share their wine, and more than one individual loaded his rifle, that I 

 might try my skill at the mark. On the conclusion of the day's sport, 

 I requested permission to bring away the circular piece of pasteboard 

 painted in rings, that covered the face of the target. I have it still in 

 my possession, and surely it presents a specimen of ball-shooting to 

 which perhaps America alone could produce an equal. 



On quitting the ground, which I did with regret, the party marched 

 off in regular order, each with his rifle slung, the bugle-man at their 

 head playing the Tyrolese song of liberty, which the whole body con- 

 tinued chaunting until they separated at the entrance of the town. 



The targets, which are thickly studded over the face of this charming 

 country, (every village having its society,) are about three feet in dia- 

 meter, and eight inches in thickness, being formed of a round cut from 

 the trunk of a large fir-tree, and covered with pasteboard. Yet, such is 

 the amazing force with which the bullet is projected from this formidable 

 description of fire-arms, that the mass of wood is frequently perforated 

 at two hundred paces. The powder is strong, but very coarse, each 

 grain being about the size of what is termed snipe-shot in England. 

 They load with great accuracy, using a graduated charger, and a small 

 piece of greased cotton or punched card for wadding. 



Every peasant possesses a rifle, and is a good shot. I well recollect 

 reading in a Liverpool newspaper, about five years since, of a man who, 

 for a trifling recompence, allowed another to aim with a cross-bow at a 

 drinking-glass placed upon his head, at the distance of twelve paces. 

 The shooter broke the glass, without injuring in the slightest degree the 

 individual who acted target. This feat was considered as an extraordi- 

 nary instance of foolhardiness in the one, and of skill in the other. Yet 

 marksmen are to be found in Switzerland, who, placing an individual at 

 two hundred paces distant, with a five-franc piece held between his 

 thumb and fore-finger, will strike it repeatedly, without the spectators 

 testifying the smallest apprehension that the shooter may miss his mark. 

 The Rifle Corps belonging to the Pays de Vaud, use for a target the 

 painted figure of an Indian hunter, armed with a bow, and having a 



