206 THE GROUSE 



piece of mechanism than was any part of 

 the older central -fire, and good guns 

 should always be cleaned by some one 

 you can trust to deal gently with them. 



If your own servant is not with you, it 

 is well worth your while to clean your 

 guns yourself, rather than leave them to 

 the tender mercies of some rough-handed, 

 inexpert underkeeper, who may work them 

 irreparable mischief in a few minutes. 

 Your gunmaker will give you clear and 

 simple instructions how your guns should 

 be kept and cleaned, and it only takes 

 a few minutes' attention after a day's 

 shooting to keep them in good order. 



Nor should you stint yourself in the 

 matter of cartridges : your own gunmaker 

 is the only man who can know what 

 charges of powder and shot will give the 

 best pattern and penetration from your 

 particular guns, and it will not be money 

 wasted to pay him the extra shilling or so 

 a hundred, and be quite sure that when 

 you miss the fault lies solely with you, 

 rather than effect a doubtful economy by 



