98 BIG GAME SHOOTING 



and found that there were no proofs of poaching or of abet- 

 ting poaching, and after a brief confinement they were set at 

 liberty. 



RIFLES AND KIT 



Tyrolese, Swiss and German sportsmen, as a rule, use only 

 single -barrelled rifles, and much smaller charges than are used 

 out of English Expresses ; indeed, in some royal shoots the use 

 of double-barrelled rifles is against local etiquette. Thus the 

 Emperor of Austria, one of the keenest sportsmen born, never 

 uses other than single-barrelled arms, and his guests are 

 expected to do the same. The reason is a good one — namely, 

 to discourage wild shooting at long ranges, causing numbers o] 

 chamois to be wounded, many of whom escape only to die ii 

 places where they never can be got at. To a person who i( 

 accustomed to shoot at long ranges and who knows exacth 

 what the rifle in his hands can do if held steadily, the shouldei 

 of a chamois standing at two hundred yards is not, as nios 

 German sportsmen will insist on, an impossible mark ; but 

 course practice and fine sights on a really accurate weapoi 

 with the necessary steadiness of aim are essential to accom 

 plish it. A hinged peepsight behind the hammers, which turns 

 down when not required, or a Lyman sight, is a desirable 

 aid for fine shooting, provided one is accustomed to iti 

 use ; and the same might be said of hair triggers. A peepsigh' 

 of my own invention, which has been copied by some who hav< 

 seen it, is constructed so as to fold down when not in use, fittinj 

 into a recess of exactly its shape. Its chief merit is that whei 

 not required it is invisible, and when required the pressure of 

 the thumb against a tiny knob (the size of a No. i shot) behind 

 the right hammer releases a spring, and the sight jumps into 

 position, and without requiring any further adjustment is, 

 ready for immediate use. Messrs. Holland & Holland, of New 

 Bond Street, have built me an excellent rifle with this sight. 

 To the question which is the best rifle, the reply may safely be 

 given : a light '450 Express, with a sling to carry it in the Con- 



