Shooting Apparatus, 



hammers which are not pairs ; and well he knew that 

 he should never get a smith to replace that delicate 

 piece of workmanship, for this gun came originally 

 from the hands of a famous maker, who got fifty, or 

 perhaps even seventy guineas for it years ago. It 

 did not shoot to please the purchaser — guns of the 

 very best character sometimes take use to get into 

 thorough order — and was thrown aside, and so the 

 gun became the keeper's. 



These fine old guns often have a romance cling- 

 ing to them, and sometimes the history is a sad one. 

 Upstairs he still keeps the old copper powder-flask 

 curiously chased and engraved, yet strong enough 

 to bear the weight of the bearer, if by chance he sat 

 down upon it while in his pocket, together with the 

 shot-belt and punch for cutting out the wads from 

 card-board or an old felt hat. These the modern 

 system of loading at the breech has cast aside. Here, 

 also, is the apparatus for filling empty cartridge-cases 

 — a work which in the season occupies him many 

 hours. 



Being an artist in his way, he takes a pride in the 

 shine and polish of his master's guns, which are not 

 always here, but come down at intervals to be cleaned 

 and attended to. And woe be to the first kid gloves 

 that touch them afterwards ; for a gun, like a sardine 



