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being partially supported on the hip : body in 

 an easy walking attitude." 



HANDLE ARMS ! This is the first active posi- 

 tion; and immediately represents your action 

 as advancing on point, or when arrived within 

 chance of spring, or during any traverse of 

 instant expectation. " The grasp of your right 

 hand upon the gripe of the stock ; the fore- 

 finger through the guard, loosely feeling the 

 trigger ; thumb firmly securing half-cock ; left 

 hand shifted to its place, i. e. grasping your 

 piece on the under part of your stock, at that 

 point where the whole gun would be poised in 

 balance, or rather a trifle beyond this point; 

 your piece thus borne in both hands, about as 

 high as the middle of the chest; the cock 

 towards you, with a tendency downwards ; and 

 the line or direction of your barrel at an angle 

 of forty-five degrees above the horizon, with a 

 small inclination over the left shoulder." In 

 this position I now refer you to the corrected 

 step which has been prescribed for your approach 

 to point, and in which you are now advancing, 

 in instant expectation of spring. Let me stop 

 you one moment, to note the infinitely greater 

 security against mischief, in case of a stumble 

 or fall, in which you are now advancing, com- 

 pared with the vulgar forward direction of the 



