54 PRAIRIE AND FOREST 



length. The stock, however, was always inconvenient, par- 

 ticularly when loading while the horse was going at speed. 

 Small-bored arms are to be avoided. The trappers and 

 professional hunters use them ; but the reason is, that they 

 require much less ammunition than those of larger calibre ; 

 and at the same time, in killing fur-bearing animals, the pelt 

 does not become so much torn. A small bullet, when prop- 

 erly placed, will do its work instantaneously ; but deviation 

 of a few inches is so frequent in this, which may be called 

 snap-shooting, that the more severe shock and larger wound 

 of the big projectile are eminently more effective. 





