MANAGEMENT OF THE GUN 141 



used or the size of the shot — numbers 5 and 6 shot 

 are best on the whole perhaps for such shooting as 

 these chapters deal with — that does it ; rather it is 

 the man behind the powder. It is well perhaps to 

 begin with rather lightly loaded cartridges, and to 

 change to ordinary ones when the recoil is no 

 longer a matter worth considering. When you 

 begin, recoil sometimes is a matter to be con- 

 sidered. I remember that the day following my 

 first rook shoot at Enham Park — it was on that 

 delightful day I first shot flying — my right shoulder 

 was black and blue. The firmer you hold the 

 gun to the shoulder, the less will the recoil trouble 

 you. 



You do not want advice as to the clothes suitable 

 to the sport. I could not give it to you if you did, 

 for these sartorial questions have never interested 

 me much. I always shot and fished in any clothes 

 I happened to have that were not too new and 

 good for the thorns and the rain and the wear and 

 tear. Gaiters or leggings we used to buy as a rule 

 in the village shop, where we also got our ammuni- 

 tion and our boot-laces, our gun licenses — for it 

 was a post-office as well as a shop of all wares — 

 shooting and fishing coats, caps, and waterproofs : 

 of these I scarcely had my fair share. Probably it 

 did not much hurt me to go shooting without them, 

 though you should by all means take such gifts if 

 they are offered to you. I do regret that I did not 

 set more store by waterproof boots in those days. 

 It is only quite recently I have studied this matter 



