286 SUGGESTIONS TO SPORTSMEN. 
careful, and that the risk of a twig’s touching the 
trigger in spite of the trigger-guard is very slight, 
while the weapon is ready for instant use, and only 
has to be pointed at the object and discharged. 
Moreover, I have twice seen a gun that was at half 
cock discharged when the sportsman was in the act 
of cocking it hastily, and twice when putting it 
back to half-cock; but the piece should never for a 
moment be trusted out of the sportsman’s hands 
without his first putting it at half-cock; nor should 
he ever cross a fence without the same precaution. 
In changing from whole to half-cock, pass the ham- 
mer below the first notch, so as to hear a distinct 
click when it is drawn back. 
Countrymen when about to walk a log over a 
rapid stream, will usually carefully put the hammers 
down on the caps, and placing the butt on the log, 
steady themselves by it, thus insuring their destruc- 
tion if they should happen to slip; and if they stand 
on a fence they do the same thing, and rest the 
stock on the upper rail. Not only should such fol- 
lies be avoided, but the gun should never be leaned 
against a tree, as thoughtless people are apt to do 
when they stop at a spring to drink, and never 
placed where it can slip or roll. 
When you have fired and desire to reload, put the 
hammer of the loaded barrel at half-cock, and if the 
right barrel has been discharged, set down the butt 
so that the hammers are towards you, and the con- 
trary way if the left barrel is to be loaded ; in this 
manner you will avoid bringing your hand over the 
