A Sportsman at Large 87 



In those days the conditions were, five shots at 200 yards 

 (standing) and five shots at 500 yards (any position). Our 

 instructor was Sergeant-Major Gilder, the winner of many an 

 important event at the annual Wimbledon gala. He was an 

 advocate for the " feet first " position. The shooter lay on 

 his back with his feet towards the target, the rifle butt resting in 

 the right armpit, the barrel passing along the body and between 

 the drawn-up legs. The head was supported by the left hand, 

 whilst the right manipulated the alignment. 



Now this position may lend itself very conveniently to 

 long-range, small-bore shooting ; but experience has taught 

 me that, for the shorter ranges and service competitions, the 

 ordinary prone position is to be greatly preferred. 



Nevertheless, Gilder had coached us well in his pet method, 

 and had been particularly attentive to myself. 



At 200 yards I managed to put on five centres, three of which 

 were only a fraction from the " bull. J> 



At that time, there were three scoring circles only, viz., 

 the Bull, the Centre and the Outer. " Magpies " had not been 

 invented. At 500 yards I found the bull first shot and it 

 looked well for my prestige. 



This I followed up with two centres and then another bull. 



I was as steady as a rock, but my last shot let me down. 

 I suppose I was a bit over anxious. I drew a good bead for 

 a bull ; but held my breath too long before pressing the 

 trigger. Instead of taking a rest and a breather, I let off rather 

 jerkily. Luckily, I found the target ; but a very wide outer 

 on its left edge was signalled. 



This was exasperating. Had I registered another bull 

 I should have claimed " cock score " and have shot for the 

 Spencer Cup. Moreover, Harrow would have won the Ash- 

 burton Shield. Even a centre to my score would have given 

 us a tie ; but as it was, Winchester " short-headed " us. 



Still, no other member had exceeded my total, though I 

 had to share the honour of "cock score" with Hayward, 

 Cunliffe and Todd. A dead heat between four ! 



