38 ON THE WING. 



One other matter should be treated under this head; 

 namely, the letting down the hammers of a loaded 

 gun from full to half cock. I once saw a gun dis- 

 charged in this way, in such wise that under differ- 

 ent circumstances it might have caused a serious acci- 

 dent. It occurred from pulling the wrong trigger in 

 the act of letting down the hammer. The thumb was 

 on the right-hand lock or hammer, and the forefinger 

 pulled the left-hand trigger instead of the right. The 

 most deplorable accidents may occur in this way, as 

 the process of letting down the hammers is very fre- 

 quent. 



Finally, never, under any circumstances whatever, 

 point a gun, loaded or unloaded, toward any human 

 being. It is the very extremity of foolhardiness and 

 audacity to do so, and should hardly be forgiven by 

 the person at whom the gun is aimed. Whoever does 

 so gives sure proof that he knows nothing about a 

 gun, and should never be trusted with one. The act 

 is too reprehensible to be overlooked, even in sport ; 

 and he who indulges in it should at once be stigma- 

 tized as an ignorant and unsafe person. 



Rules to be remembered. 



i st. Never, under any circumstances whatever, 

 point a gun in sport, loaded or unloaded, toward any 

 person or valuable animal. It is dangerous, and 

 shows great ignorance. 



2d. In loading a discharged barrel, see that the 

 loaded barrel is at half-cock before commencing to 



