DECOY-DUCKS. 79 



bis second barrel. In duck-sbooting, in all cases except 

 at fligbt, wben I liked a loose cbarge best, I used tbe 

 caudle cartridge, and I found tbem quite equal to Eley's, 

 except that they occasionally ball tbe sbot. As every 

 one may not know bow to make tbem, I will give my 

 receipt. Procure a tin cylinder tbat will exactly fit into 

 tbe muzzle of your gun, about three inches long, some- 

 thing like a candle-mould ; stick a cork in tbe bottom end 

 and set it on a table ; put the sbot in it, melt some can- 

 dle-grease in a ladle, which pour on to the shot till they 

 are covered. Let it stand to cool ; take out the cork 

 wben the tallow is bard, and shove out tbe cartridge ; 

 wrap a piece of thin paper round, and it is ready for use. 

 I once killed a pair of black duck stone-dead at eighty 

 yards witb a candle cartridge : this was perhaps a chance 

 sbot, but I could always reckon on my birds at fifty 

 yards; and I know this is about fifteen yards further than 

 I could do with a loose charge. I sbot with a single pigeon- 

 gun, No. G gauge, 6 drams of powdei', and a two-ounce 

 cartridge. One needs a strong gun for such a charge, 

 and I fancy cartridges shake a gun much. I am no 

 friend to an out-of-the-way-sized gun for shoulder-shoot- 

 ing. Tbe one I used I found big enough for any purpose, 

 and quite heavy enougb to carry about and bring up to 

 the shoulder quickly. Depend upon it, tbe man who sticks 

 to one gun for every kind of shooting, will bag more 

 game than be who is continually changing; and I believe 

 I should have done better if I bad always used a strong 

 double. Tbe best gun for this country is a strong dou- 



