SHOOTING. 235 



" Should different guns be employed, the shooter should have 

 all the locks made, if possible, to require exactly the same pull 

 to bring them to action ; there is nothing deceives or disconcerts 

 him more than shooting one day with a stiff, and the next with 

 an easy going lock : the transition from that which goes off with 

 a slight to that where a hard touch is necessary wil! often cause 

 the most expert to miss his bird. 



" Always hold the gun with the left hand close to the guard 

 (and not forward upon the barrel to strongly grasp it near the 

 entrance of the ramrod, notwithstanding it has been so strenu- 

 ously recommended) : all the requisite steadiness in taking aim, 

 and even of motion, in traversing the flight of a bird, can be 

 obtained by thus holding the heaviest pieces ; and, in case of a 

 barrel bursting, the certainty of having a hand or arm shattered 

 by grasping the barrel is reduced to a chance of escaping the 

 effects of such an accident, by placing the hand close to the 

 guard beneath it.* 



" With double guns a danger arises from the shooter who 

 fires but one barrel, and kills his bird, forgetting to uncock the 

 other previous to his reloading that which has been discharged : 

 to obviate this, let him invariably uncock-)- the second barrel be- 



* In September 1806, Mr. Banister lost the top of three fingers, and the 

 thumb and other parts of the hand were much torn by the bursting of 

 his gun. He had unfortunately placed his hand forward upon the 

 barrel : it is hoped the misfortune to this gentleman may operate forcibly 

 against so dangerous a practice ; for with the hand in that position, should 

 any barrel burst, it is next to a miracle but the party is dreadfully 

 wounded, whereas, by the hand being kept close to the guard, there have 

 been numberless cases where barrels have flows to pieces, without in- 

 jury to the persons who held them. 



f One barrel only should be cocked at a time ; after the first barrel 

 has been fired, the gun should be taken from the shoulder and the other 

 cocked, should a second shot present itself; which would obviate the 

 danger above mentioned. 



