THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE. 217 



presses the powder, excludes the air, and 

 prevents a simultaneous ignition of the 

 powder. The ramrod sometimes swells 

 too big for the thimbles, and cannot easily 

 be drawn. 



Take the gun between your knees, 

 the butt on the ground, and the barrel 

 towards your face ; place both hands on 

 the ramrod, and push upwards, holding 

 and compressing the gun between your 

 knees at the same time. If it cannot be 

 drawn in this way, knot a silk handker- 

 chief or strong string several times round 

 the end of the ramrod ; wrap the ends 

 round your hands and pull, while an- 

 other holds your gun. Never put your 

 ramrod in the joint of a door, or use 

 pincers or bullet-mould to pull it out; 

 these ways mash and injure the rod; 

 the way I have recommended will always 

 succeed. 



VOL. II. L 



