THE GUN, AND HOW TO CHOOSE IT. 79 



had, the best, for 35 to 40 dollars. If they be top or 

 muzzle-heavy, which they sometimes are, and which is a 

 bad fault, and a great hindrance to quick shooting, the 

 fault may easily be remedied, by taking off the heel-plate, 

 scooping a hole in the butt, and running in a pound or two 

 of lead. The restoration of balance, by means of this 

 counterpoise, will far more than compensate the increase 

 of the total weight ; the rather that guns of this size are 

 only to be used in boat-shooting, not carried in pursuit of 

 game. 



A very little practice will enable a hardy man and 

 quick shot to use two single guns, laying down the one 

 after firing, and snatching up the other ; if not quite so 

 rapidly as one double-barrel, quite rapidly enough to de- 

 molish a flock, by getting in both loads. I have, at this 

 moment, one of the exact character described, so handy, 

 that I can raise and manage it with ease with my left hand 

 on the trigger-guard. For sea-fowling guns, the nipples 

 should be of the inverted fashion, having the orifice like a 

 funnel, large above and tapering to a point below ; as the 

 flame of the cap is thus more forcibly injected, which is 

 needful, as the coarse-grained powder, which is preferable 

 for sea shooting, will not enter the cones. 



As to the makers, qualities, prices, or descriptions of 

 guns needful to the sportsman, I have no word more to 

 say ; but as to the mode of choosing, a few hints may be 

 found serviceable. 



We will suppose a person, having made up his mind to 

 what price he will go, and what description of piece he 

 needs, to have found, by the assistance of competent 



