MISCELLANEOUS HINTS. 373 



handle became so bent from the violence of the blow that neither 

 of the slides would work, and we were forced to pour the shot into 

 our hand and guess at the proper load during the balance of the 

 day, greatly to our annoyance. 



If the charger had been made of steel, this could not have 

 happened. 



The size or capacity of the shot-bag will of course correspond 

 to that of the powder. The slides attached to the charger are so 

 constructed that they can be adjusted to regulate the flow of shot 

 to any desired quantity. We on one occasion lost our powder- 

 flask from our pocket, when a long distance from quarters and sur- 

 rounded by birds, and, to make the matter more provoking, imme- 

 diately after encountered a large covey, into which we determined 

 to fire a raking cross-shot, in hope of killing several birds, by way 

 of making up our count and thus solacing ourselves under the 

 afflicting loss ; but, strange to say, after fixing ourselves in the 

 very best position for a raking shot, we banged away and did not 

 bring down a single partridge. Since this mishap, we have been 

 in the habit of attaching by a small green worsted cord both our 

 powder-flask and shot-pouch to our person. The buttonhole of 

 the game-pocket, on either side, will be found the most convenient 

 place to attach the cord. When going through thick cover with our 

 powder and shot secured in this way, we feel perfectly easy about 

 them, as we know that if by any chance they should be pulled out 

 of their place we would immediately feel them dangling from our 

 person long before the cord could be broken. 



PERCUSSION CAPS. 



Great quantities of French and German caps are consumed in 

 America, not because they are superior to the English, but on the 

 score of cheapness. These caps are generally inferior to the 

 English, and they can be had of excellent quality by paying a 

 little extra for them ; but even then they are not equal to those 

 made by the celebrated manufacturers of England. 



The English caps of approved make are much larger and stronger 



