276 GUN-SHOT WOUNDS. 



tary hospital at Netley for instance is to be seen the 

 picture of a British cavalry soldier, whose arm was 

 carried clean off at the shoulder by a cannon ball, at 

 the battle of Waterloo ; yet this man mounted his horse 

 again, and rode without assistance the whole ten miles 

 into Brussels, that same evening for medical treatment, 

 and subsequently made a complete recovery, minus the 

 loss of his arm. 



It would be both too long, and out of place also, to 

 discuss here at any length the scientific aspect of 

 gunshot wounds ; chapters however could be filled with 

 records of cases where game has been struck down 

 to all appearance dead, by a well-directed shot through 

 a vital organ; but presently they have recovered 

 so far as to be able to rise and make off at a 

 rapid pace; and not unfrequently they subsequently 

 succeed in making their escape altogether. To quote 

 instances of these notorious facts would be unnecessary, 

 as they are within the personal experience of almost 

 every hunter. It is always better therefore, where there 

 is any doubt about the matter, to put in a finishing* 

 shot at close quarters, the gun being invariably reloaded 

 and got ready before the hunter runs up. 



In the case of dangerous animals the greatest caution 

 should however be used, as quite a number of cases 

 have been from time to time recorded of men being 

 killed or desperately wounded by supposed dead beasts 

 "coming to life again." A still living animal proves 

 that the vital spark still lingers in its frame by a more 

 or less perfect respiration, and a supposed dead creature 

 of a dangerous species should be carefully examined 

 at a distance, with a glass, after the gun is again 

 ready. Observe the flank, and see if it heaves at alL 



