36 The Tetcott Hunt LUeek. 



ramrod was drawn out, the measure of the whole 

 load was taken b}^ placing the hand edgewise across 

 the muzzle to see if the ramrod was a hand breadth 

 or four inches higher than in the unloaded gun. After 

 returning the rod into its loops, the nipple had to 

 be examined, to see if the powder was up, and if 

 not up, the cock was let down on the nipple, the 

 gun turned hammer under, and saaitten with the 

 hand. If this did not succeed, the powder horn had 

 to be again brought into use, and some powder 

 shaken out on the top of nipple and forced down 

 grain by grain with the point of a pin. Then was 

 drawn forth a tin box of percussion caps, one of 

 which was taken out, bitten to ensure its clinging to 

 the nipple, where it was now placed, the hammer 

 pressed down on it, then raised to half-cock, and 

 the shotsman was again ready for action. 



And, during this lengthy process, a thorough 

 explanation was given to any chance bystander as 

 to how the deed of blood had been accomplished. 

 From the first suspicion that game was lurking in a 

 certain spot, to the last act of the drama — the final 

 catastrophe. Or if the shot had been an unsuccess- 

 ful one, a full and satisfactory explanation as to the 

 cause of failure was duly rendered, and the by- 

 stander made aware how the unlucky and unlooked- 

 for miss had happened. 



By the present mode of using two, or as 



