TO MAKE AN OLD GUN SHOOT WELL. 283 



This was the case on the expedition to New Orleans, 

 in the country near which place the wildfowl were 

 innumerable. 



A regimental armourer (even if he had the means) 

 might not be perfectly master of the boring ; but the 

 perforated plug and the strengthening of the main- 

 spring would very much accelerate the firing of 

 a musket ; and some of these barrels, if properly 

 loaded, often make a very effectual substitute for 

 a duck gun. 



The proper charge for them would be about two 

 tobacco pipes full of powder, and the same measure 

 of large shot : but, as this had better be regulated by 

 the degree with which they are felt in firing, I shall 

 lay down a rule, which, by the way (with a very 

 trifling alteration, according to circumstances), may 

 be applied to all duck guns, and most other guns. 



Load with POWDER and SHOT by EQUAL MEA- 

 SURE in as large a quantity as can be fired ivith ease 

 to the shoulder ; puffing your WADDING STRONG on 

 the FORMER, and LIGHT on the LATTER. 



As this alteration is all inwardly, it cannot affect 

 the appearance of the musket ; and (omitting the 

 boring) it would, if kept clean, be all the better for 

 his majesty's service. The perforation of the plug, 

 however, should not be too small; and particularly 

 in cases where it may become necessary to use it 

 with cartridge powder. 



Before concluding the observations on improving 



