BURSTING OF A GUN. 215 



pensive rifle, by the same maker, a few years before 

 in India, it seems that even the exorbitant prices 

 charged by the crack London makers afford no se- 

 curity whatever against such accidents ; so that I 

 was inclined to attribute this mishap to careless 

 loading. The explosion had very nearly deprived 

 my valued sailing-master, Mr. Wood, of his left arm ; 

 and as it was, the arm had been burned and lacera- 

 ted in a painful manner, but was now healing. 



