of the Old World. 507 



the same vertical plane. If the butt of the rifle is not 

 held vertically, but is " canted " either to the right or 

 the left, so that the perpendicular of the back-sight 

 with the axis of the barrel is not preserved, the ball 

 will strike to the right if the sight inclines to the left, 

 and vice versd ; and, in firing at long ranges, a very 

 slight deviation in this respect will cause a wide 

 deflection. 



II. The "aim" or "line of sight" should be 

 taken along the centre of the notch of the back-sight 

 and the top of the fore-sight, which should cover the 

 centre of the object aimed at. 



III. The eye should be fixed steadfastly on the 

 mark aimed at, and not on the barrel or fore-sight, 

 which latter will be easily brought into the alignment 

 if the eye is fixed as directed. 



IV. In aiming, the left eye should be closed. 

 Aiming drill is generally taught with a " traversing- 

 rest," or, if that is not at hand, a tripod with a sand- 

 bag on the top, standing about four feet eight inches 

 from the ground (or the average height of a man's 

 shoulder) will answer every purpose ; and the novice 

 is required to align his rifle with the proper elevation 

 upon objects at distances varying from 50 to 900 

 yards. Each time he has aligned his rifle he steps 

 aside, in order that the instructor may take his place 

 and see if the aim be correct. This practice should 

 be continued until the novice has no difficulty in 



