204 



until a line drawn along the lower edge of the 

 but, as it is now borne upward, would be nearly 

 horizontal*: insert the fore-finger of your right 

 hand over the trigger ; your thumb at the same 

 time on guard over the half-cock, and the fingers 

 holding the gripe: the gun, thus clasped by 

 both hands, to be borne close to the body." I 

 can not admit them to be thrown off, and swing- 

 ing about with the awkward scramble of a 

 young skater : the step is rendered less steady 

 by the same means, and I have here an instant 

 call for firmness. I have said, therefore, " close 

 to the body ; the cock still turned downwards, 

 and the knuckle of the thumb on guard over it, 

 resting against you a little below the navel." 

 This represents a secure attitude for march 

 through cover, with a sufficient preparation for 

 an instant spring. I took occasion, under the 

 head of "carrying arms" (p. 179, 180), to call your 

 attention to the greater security which the 



* In the order for " Carry arms !" p. 177, I have directed 

 the clasp with the left hand to be made with the thumb upon 

 the guard. It was purposely to have room for the commo- 

 dious introduction of the fore-finger of the right hand into 

 its place within the guard, over the trigger, during this secured 

 carriage of arms in cover : for it will be observed, " in the 

 more familiar clasp for general carriage, the left thumb will 

 find its way a little beyond the guard;" in which case the 

 trigger-finger would have been obstructed by the knuckle 

 of the left thumb, and which, with a view to this action, it 

 became necessary to remove. 



