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not think this the best position. Therefore 

 " turn the barrel down upon your left arm ; the 

 flat part of the stock, opposite the lock, clasped 

 with your left hand ; the thumb resting on guard, 

 over the trigger; fingers extended around the 

 upper part of the gripe of the stock, now 

 turned below ; upon which, and not upon the 

 cock, as in the other case, the weight is chiefly 

 borne : in the proper clasp, the point of the 

 third finger will come round, and rest upon the 

 head of the tumbler pin" (the screw by which 

 the cock is fastened to the lock). With your 

 piece thus supported, the lock is better covered 

 from occasional rain or clamp, and the transfer 

 into a grasp by the right hand more immediate ; 

 whilst the left more easily shifts into its place, 

 when called on for the shot, and like that of a 

 practised performer on the finger-board of a 

 violin, stops in time. 



It is true, that fatigue will sometimes lower 

 the tone of your carriage into a horizontal trail 

 at your side, in balance upon your fingers ; or 

 the more unprepared water-fowler's sloping 

 lounge over the shoulder. I have only to say, 

 let this never be done by the right hand, lest 

 you should acquire a habit of holding your gun 

 thus, when it may be of somewhat more impor- 

 tance than in mere travel on a turnpike road. 



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