284 DEAD WEIGHT 



stones, or sticks will get into your boots, 

 and you will have to be continually taking 

 them off. The Indmn puUies, or bandages, 

 are good, but take time to put on, and must 

 be removed to get the boot off. Whatever 

 sort of hat or cap you affect, for comfort it 

 should have a brim fore and aft. 



Now, where can we reduce the weiorht? 

 In the telescope it has been lessened of late 

 years by substituting aluminum for brass. 

 Nothino- more can be done here. In the 

 rifle ? For a long time I could not see how. 

 Hollow the stock .'^ No, because that must 

 spoil the balance. Reduce the thickness of 

 metal in the barrel ? Not to be thought 

 "of, as the only result would be to unduly 

 weaken the barrel. Shorten the barrel ? 

 Yes ; here, perhaps, something might be 

 done. 



