484 THE HUNTING GROUNDS 



The line of sight, or aim, is an imaginary straight 

 line taken from the pupil of the eye through the 

 centre of the back-sight, along the top of the fore- 

 sight, to the object intended to be hit. The back- 

 sight is so arranged as to give the proper elevation 

 for different distances. The farther the object is 

 to be aimed at, the greater the elevation required ; 

 and this is given by raising the sliding bar of the 

 back-sight, which is marked with lines up to nine 

 hundred yards. 



Accuracy of shooting is greatly dependent upon 

 the sights being carefully adjusted, and fitted exactly 

 parallel to the axis of the barrel. If the back-sight 

 Is too much inclined to the right, or the front-sight 

 too much to the left, the rifle will shoot to the right 

 of the mark aimed at ; in the same manner, if the 

 back-sight is placed too much to the left, or the 

 fore-sight too much to the right, the gun will carry 

 to the left ; and the greater the distance, the greater, 

 in proportion, will be the deviation. Every rifle, 

 therefore, ought to be carefully sighted and shot be- 

 fore it is placed in a novice's hands, as non-success in 

 practice on account of an ill-sighted weapon would 

 not be his fault, and might serve to discourage 

 him. 



The mechanical routine necessary to be gone 

 through before the tyro can become an efficient 

 marksman consists of Aiming Drill, Position Drill, 

 Judging Distance Drill, and Practice in Firing. 



Aiming Drill is necessary to familiarise the un- 



