MISCELLANEOUS HINTS. 353 



pressed down ; the shot consequently between these two slides 

 enter the gun ; the finger now being raised from the spring or 

 handle, the forward or upper slide resumes its position, and the 

 inner floodgate is open for the egress of the shot when the pouch 

 is everted. 



The construction of this pouch is so simple and well known, 

 that we fear lest we have wasted time in the description. AVhat 

 Ave wished to say in reference to the superiority of the steel 

 charger over the brass one is, however, somewhat connected 

 with this description, and is nothing more nor less than that the 

 brass charger, being made of a much softer metal, is very apt to 

 get out of order from rough usage, or from catching in the 

 bushes and briers. AVe on one occasion were greatly annoyed 

 and inconvenienced by this very accident, and therefore are 

 particular in dwelling upon it. In getting over a fence in 

 somewhat of a hurry, the top of the charger struck against the 

 upper rail, and the 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 so as 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 surrounded by Birds, and, to make the matter 

 more provoking, immediately 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 

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