GUNS AND GUN-MAKING. 183 



mud and gravel, From the close manner in which we 

 were all grouped, how the shot could have entered the 

 ground, without killing men or dogs, or both, was 

 miraculous. I was desperately frightened, and from 

 that moment foreswore, for ever, the use of weakened 

 locks and attenuated barrels. 



