128 GUNS 



who tells the tale of the man who was disconcerted 

 at finding himself watched by a knot of miners at 

 a pheasant drive. He missed several shots, when 

 one of the miners said in effect to him, ^' I have 

 put another bob on you, master, and if you miss the 

 next bird, I'll knock yer bloomin' head off ! " 



A few general rules aimed at safety may be given 

 here. If you are not prepared to obey them in the 

 spirit and the letter, you ought not to handle a gun at 

 all. (i) Never point a gun, loaded or unloaded, at 

 anybody ; it is a fool's game. (2) Do not load your 

 gun till the start is actually made. (3) Unload 

 directly the shooting is over. (4) In going through 

 hedges, over gates, &c., take great care not to let 

 the barrels of your gun point towards any part 

 of your own person, or towards any one else who 

 is out with you ; and let your gun be at half-cock. 

 (5) When you leave off shooting at the luncheon- 

 time, unload your gun. (6) When you prepare to 

 move with your companions from one beat to 

 another, put your gun at half-cock. (7) In moving 

 from beat to beat, carry your gun under your 

 right or left arm with the barrels pointing to the 

 ground, or over one of your shoulders with the 

 barrels not pointing at right angles from your 

 back, but at something like an angle of forty-five 

 above your back. (8) Never shoot down the line. 

 (9) Never shoot unless you are sure there is no one 

 in the line of fire. (10) Remember glance shot ; 

 remember glance shot. 



