THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE. 215 



and soap. As a gun-barrel has no tem- 

 per, or is as soft as the iron can be made, 

 you need not fear to injure it by hot 

 water. If not very foul, stop the touch- 

 hole with a feather and pour two tea- 

 spoonsful of strong vinegar in the barrel. 

 The nitre of the powder will cause the 

 vinegar to effervesce to the top, and loosen 

 all the filth. Wipe out with good soft 

 tow. Then take a piece of tow, rolled 

 loosely into the size and length of a quill ; 

 twist one end fine, and insert it in the 

 touch-hole ; let the rod and screw down 

 the muzzle ; get hold of the tow, and 

 gradually twist it all through the touch- 

 hole. This will clean it thoroughly. 



Never squib ofi^ a little powder after 

 cleaning your gun. If it be perfectly dry, 

 there can be no use in it ; and if not, it 

 makes it dirty before you begin to use it. 

 When you put by your rifie for any length 

 of time, never put it away clean, except 



