176 



THE 



DRILL EXERCISE. 



CARRY ARMS.-VThis is hardly within the list 

 of my actual words of command, because it 

 has no absolute connexion with your shot. But 

 as it is by no means unrelated to an easy 

 transition into the next, and as I hold it meet 

 and fitting, that a sportsman should be distin- 

 guished by the superior carriage of his gun, as 

 readily as you discern a workman by the hand- 

 ling of his tool, I shall bestow upon it a brief 

 comment. The most general mode is to carry 

 your piece, with the barrel upwards, sloping 

 over your left arm, the lock being clasped by 

 that hand, with the fingers extended around 

 the cock; upon which, as the arm falls easy at 

 your side, the weight of the gun is principally 

 borne. In this situation, the cross motion to 

 meet the grasp of the right hand, at the call of 

 handle arms, is ready enough ; but, for various 

 reasons, that will appear as we proceed, I do 



