214 THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE. 



ence, carries down all dirt, fills up the 

 rifles so as to prevent the escape of any 

 flame, and neither burns nor cuts. I re- 

 commend all riflemen to give it a trial. 

 Prime before you load,^ and never pick 

 the touch-hole after loading, unless your 

 gun flash, and do not even then mash in 

 any powder. After a flash, clean the 

 touch-hole, by introducing the picker or 

 feather, and shake in flne powder. 



The Indians, when in action, to load 

 quick, dispense with the patch ; but they 

 chew the balls a little, to give the rotatory 

 motion. When the rifle is clean, grease 

 the under side of the patch ; when foul, 

 wet it in your mouth. 



CLEANING THE RIFLE. 



When very foul, take the barrel out 

 of the stock, and wash it with hot water 



* The copper cap and nipple were not known in 

 America when this paper was written. 



