150 TJie Hunting Grounds 



cast, besides others, which I now infinitely prefer, 

 made of a mixture of lead and zinc. Bullets of this 

 material are much heavier than if they were made of 

 brass, and are sufficiently hard for any purpose. I 

 generally put in one-third of zinc to two of lead ; and 

 often, when I could not get zinc, I have used tin in 

 the same proportion, which I found equally good. 



For my large smooth-bores I used round balls, and 

 generally put a couple in my second barrel ; for, 

 although I have frequently heard people animadvert 

 upon this practice as dangerous, I never found any 

 evil effects resulting from it : nor are the guns shaken, 

 although I have used them upwards of a dozen years, 

 generally firing from four to five drachms of powder. 

 For close shooting (when I have a gun by a maker 

 whom I can depend upon) I prefer to have a brace of 

 balls in my second barrel ; and although I do not advo- 

 cate this as a principle, I have found it more effectual in 

 stopping the charge of an infuriated wounded animal. 



I may, however, observe that I go to a good gun- 

 maker, pay a fair price, and see that I get a first-class 

 article for my money. I have always found it cheaper 

 in the end to have a first-class arm, and I think that 

 success in the field often depends upon the degree of 

 confidence which is placed in the guns. 



Having given some account of my shooting-cart 

 and battery, I shall go on to describe the rest of my 

 equipment, as perhaps a few wrinkles on the proper 



