216 THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE. 



the locks ; the smoke of the powder in 

 the barrel is the best preventive against 

 rust. Stop the muzzle with rag, tow, or 

 cork ; wash out before you use the gun 

 again. The screw should be made long, 

 as observed before, to give a good hand- 

 hold in wiping out. Never twist the tow 

 on the screw when wiping ; lay it on the 

 muzzle, give the screw a gentle twist in 

 it, and push it down. 



Should your gun get choked in wiping, 

 pour in a little hot water. If, in loading, 

 it get choked, and the ball remain fast, 

 and you cannot force it down in the usual 

 way, let one person steady the gun vvith 

 the butt-end on the ground ; then hold 

 the ramrod stiff with both your hands, 

 one near the muzzle, the other near the 

 end ; let a third person strike the ramrod 

 with a piece of wood ; the ball will then 

 go down without mashing or bruising. 

 Never ram the bullet too much ; it com- 



