226 THE SHOOTER'S GUIDE. 



count to carry his piece cocked ; as he may rely on 

 it, that cocking is no way necessary till the game 

 rises; and should there be occasion to uncock the 

 fowling-piece, in letting the cock down it should be 

 suffered to pass beyond the half-cock, and then 

 brought back, as by this means it may be heard as 

 well as felt to tell into the proper nick of the tum- 

 bler, and thus rendered perfectly secure : great care 

 should be taken, at the same time, that the muzzle of 

 the piece should be kept as erect as possible, which 

 will prevent mischief, supposing by accident the cock 

 should slip, and thus discharge the piece. 



If the sportsman should make use of different 

 guns, he should contrive to have the locks made so 

 that the pull of each trigger will be similar; or, in 

 other words, require, as near as possible, the same 

 degree offeree to let off the cock; for nothing can 

 be more disagreeable than using different pieces, the 

 triggers of some of which requiring considerable force, 

 while others would be drawn perhaps with a hair. 



As to the best method of carrying the fowling- 

 piece, various opinions will be found, no doubt, to 

 exist. For my own part, I think it a matter of little 

 consequence so long as the muzzle is pointed imme- 

 diately upwards. I believe the general way is to 

 carry it on the arm, with the muzzle nearly erect, 

 which appears to me preferable to any other. 



It has been before remarked, that a brace of good 

 dogs are sufficient at once ; but they should be used 

 to hunt together, and perfectly acquainted with each 



