207 



body inwards upon the left leg, as the centre of 

 motion, that the weight of the whole gun for- 

 ward being felt by the thumb of the right hand 

 on the half-cock, brings it up to cock ; the con- 

 tinuance of the impulse given to the swing of 

 the barrel forwards, contributing to bring down 

 your gun to a position at this instant (and it 

 must only be an instant, so as to be sure you 

 are cocked) resembling in good measure that 

 in which a soldier would present his pike*: 

 the knees sunk on the spring-bend ; body con- 

 siderably inclined forwards, on balance between 

 them, but with its principal rest on the right 

 limb." I bring it back thus rather from the 

 left, because in the undecided flight of a bird 

 in cover, it is a position which admits of more 

 flexibility either way, at the last moment of 

 present, as it may be wanted. I offer this as 

 an attitude in which you are most decidedly 

 prepared to meet, or into which you will 

 instantly be thrown by any sudden notice of 

 spring, or the first glance of unexpected flight. 

 It is scarcely necessary to add, that the flight 

 will be seized with eagerness; and if indistinctly 

 seen through the trees, that its range will be as 



* In this variation of coming to " the present/' this may 

 be considered as the ideal instant between this and the former 

 motion of " Mark ;" which for reasons alleged I have thought 

 proper to separate. 



