4 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 



gunmaker to my hands, I was surprised how indifferently 

 I shot with it ; but, on examination, I found that the new 

 stock was much straighter than the old. Again: being in 

 a neighbourhood where game was abundant, when I did 

 not have one of my own guns with me, I borrowed from a 

 friend, and my execution was so bad that before the day 

 way over I gave up in disgust. This gun's stock was so 

 straight that I doubt if any but its owner could use it. In 

 having a gun made, there is nothing that should receive 

 from the gunmaker more careful observance than the figure 

 of the purchaser ; for I feel confident that a very great deal 

 of bad shooting is made through want of attention to this 

 point. Again: a gun should never possess a superfluous 

 ounce of metal that is not necessary to its safety. When 

 we start in the morning, fresh and vigorous, after a good 

 night's rest, the weight may appear a trifle; but in the 

 evening, if the day's work has been severe more especially 

 on grouse moor or snipe bog you will be surprised how a 

 little extra weight tells, and will induce you to undershoot 

 your game. 



Still another equally important point is the strength 

 that is required to pull the trigger. After long practice 

 you may get accustomed to either very fine or very heavy, 

 but whatever you are used to, that retain. With the tyro- 

 it is different. Through frequent experiment he should 

 find out what weight of pressure he can give without 

 disconcerting his aim at the precise moment that he has 

 obtained the line of sight. By imparting this knowledge 

 to his gunsmith he will commence shooting under great 

 advantage. A deal, we all know, depends upon a good 



