378 LEWIS'S AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



tity at a few hours' notice. The process for making them is as 

 follows: Having procured a round plug of wood about four 

 inches long, perfectly cylindrical and two or three sizes smaller 

 than the bore of the gun, a few sheets of strong pliable paper, 

 together with a quantity of thin-cut waddings and a convenient 

 measure for the shot, we commence operations as follows: The 

 paper is first cut into pieces of the proper dimensions for holding 

 the shot, which of course will be regulated by the size of the gun 

 and our previous experience. This being done, we place ourself 

 before a table with every thing convenient around us ; a wad is 

 now grasped by the left index-finger and thumb, and placed 

 against the inner extremity of the cartridge-roller, and there held 

 by the finger and thumb of the right hand ; one of the cartridge- 

 papers is now put under the roller, with sufficient of its surface 

 extending beyond the roller, say half an inch, as, when folded 

 upon itself, as hereafter to be described, will make a tight cylin- 

 der. The paper, wad, and roller, all being arranged as above 

 described, by a rapid and dexterous movement of the hand the roller 

 is forced to turn in an even and regular manner over the surface 

 of the table, carrying the paper along with it, which is made to 

 encircle the roller as tightly as possible. The projecting por- 

 tion of the paper is now folded snugly upon the wadding at the 

 end of the roller, and the forming of the cylinder finished by 

 raising the roller and giving the end of it a smart tap or two on 

 the table, by way of pressing the folds more securely together. 

 The next movement is to withdraw the roller from the cylinder, 

 leaving the wadding at the bottom to strengthen it ; the shot is 

 then poured into the cylinder from the measure already agreed 

 upon, and, after being well shaken down, another wadding is placed 

 over it, and the projecting edges of the paper folded tightly down. 

 By this process we will have the proper load of shot in a close, 

 compact, and convenient form, which may be carried in the pocket 

 loosely, or in small packages of fives and tens. When the fingers 

 once become familiar with the handling of the implements neces- 

 sary for making cartridges, the quantity that can be put up in the 



