240 LEAVES FROM A GAME BOOK. 



I had forced my way through a thick hedge to 

 try and turn a covey we had seen alight on a grass 

 field on the other side of it. On getting through, I 

 saw the birds running in front of me far out of shot, 

 but going in the right direction, and, as I was on the 

 extreme left of our line, I threw my gun across my 

 left arm, when a barrel exploded. Much surprised, I 

 yet managed to hold the gun, and upon examination 

 I found a large piece of blackthorn broken off from 

 the hedge and sticking exactly in the bend of the 

 elbow ; on to this I had placed the gun, and the 

 trigger was touched by " the lawyer " attached to my 

 sleeve, the result being as I have described. 



Here also I will bring to the notice of my readers 

 a danger arising from the use of the hammerless gun, 

 which probably they will be aware of, but which up 

 to now I have never seen mentioned. Of course 

 hundreds and hundreds of shooters carry their guns 

 under their arms when no one is in front of them. 

 This is a very pleasant and safe way as long as the 

 arm is not raised ; but if for any reason, such as 



