EIFLES AND SHOT-GUNS. 163 



thirteen years ago — Ben Thompson's beard reached 

 nearly to his waist, so that by this time it must descend 

 to his toes. 



As the journey to be made ere we reached the 

 hunting-grounds was a long one, I carried with me 

 (for the sake of being comparatively unencumbered) 

 only my double-shot gun, which, when charged with 

 buck-shot," was no contemptible weapon, and would, I 

 hoped, give a good account of any game I might meet 

 with at close quarters. But I should have carried a 

 rifle in spite of all risks and inconveniences, had I 

 known the contempt which my poor double barrel 

 would bring upon me in the opinion of the redoubtable 

 Ben. 



' I guess you are one o' them thar counter-skippers 

 from the city by the look of the gun you carry ? ' he re- 

 marked, when I was introduced to him. 



' No,' replied I. ' I hope to be a hunter some day, 

 after I have had a little more of your society. I can 

 use the rifle now a little, though I suppose you never 

 carry any other weapon.' 



' I guess I don't pretend to use anything else,' said 

 Ben in tones of the deepest disgust. ' As for the bars, 

 they'd only laugh at that thar tool of yourn unless you 

 war right atop of them. What does an animal care 

 for a peppering if you don't put the lead right into his 

 vitals ? and who wants a gun as full of shot as a 'bacca 

 pod is of seed ? ' 



H 2 



