

AN OVER-ZEALOUS GUNNER 



the gun, was perilously near the touch hole, with the fuse 

 in his hand. Presently the latter, quite oblivious of the 

 fact that his parent was at that moment covering the 

 muzzle of the weapon, applied the fuse, and as the old man 

 had by this time unhappily succeeded in ramming the 

 powder home, the charge exploded, ejecting the rammer, 

 which, with the old borar, were carried to some distance, 

 whence the latter, dancing and shrieking in agony and terror, 

 was carried off at once to the infirmary, where he died from 

 his injuries. 



It was a sad ending to a function, which up to this un- 

 lucky moment had gone off with great eclat, and for the 

 inauguration of which my friend would probably have 

 gained credit, but instead, on reporting the disaster, which 

 he was bound to do, he was, if not actually reprimanded, 

 given to understand that his conduct had been foolish. 



213 



