112 LOADING AT A GALLOP. 



different direction. When he is within shot, he can jump 

 off his horse, fire, and remount, loading as he rides, and 

 taking care not to follow in the rear of the retreating 

 herd, but to move off to the right or left, and then gallop 

 forward : by this means the distance lost is sooner re- 

 gained, as the animals do not then go on so rapidly. It 

 is better to keep a herd on the right hand ; the hunter, 

 after dismounting, is then behind his horse, and the game 

 consequently are not so much alarmed. 



The best plan for loading at a gallop is to place the butt 

 of the gun between the left knee and the saddle ; the 

 ramrod side being nearest the body, the left hand (in 

 which also the reins must be held) should hold the gun 

 at about six inches from the muzzle ; the right hand is 

 thus free, and therefore can be used for loading. 



The pockets of the waistcoat that are used for ammu- 

 nition should be all on the right-hand side, and lined with 

 leather. A couple of bullets are recommended by some 

 sportsmen to be carried in the mouth, as they can then 

 be readily used, and do not require wadding, if fired 

 immediately they drop upon the powder. This plan I 

 never tried, as I did not like the risk of having a couple 

 of such pills suddenly jerked down my throat, after a flight, 

 spread-eagle fashion, half a dozen yards over one's horse's 

 head. There are so many blind-holes, and other reasons 

 for horses suddenly coming down, and turning completely 

 over with their riders, that the Dutch ride with very long 

 stirrup-leathers, and put just the end of their toes in the 

 stirrups, so as to be ready for such a contingency. 



We had proceeded nearly three hours without a rest, 



