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never draw, unless positive of seeing the bird 

 in that very point of situation. Let it go : 

 every fresh spring of a bird will make him 

 more composed ; and as the tremor wears off, 

 he will grow more uniform in his manner of 

 getting to it, until at last he will cover it almost 

 to a certainty, at or very near the same distance. 

 Let him accustom himself also never to take 

 his gun from his arm, until the bird is on wing; 

 and never to vary his eye from the very one he 

 first fixed upon. Three words should mentally 

 be used, with a pause between, before he puts 

 his piece to shoulder : this will keep him, as it 

 were, in awe of himself; and as there is no 

 charm in any particular combination of letters, 

 Hold ! halt ! now ! may serve as well as any. 

 A day thus spent, he may put some powder 

 into the pan, and flash away in that manner the 

 next ; pursuing the former directions, until he 

 can stare with stedfastness, and pull without a 

 wink. The day following, load with powder 

 only; and continue this lesson, more or less, 

 until he is calm, as if the leather were yet in the 

 chaps. Now the grand and last trial, complete 

 loading. If he feels the least flutter or anxiety 

 on his advance to the point, let him draw his shot 

 at once, nay, powder also, before he goes up to 

 his dog ; and repeat this, toties quoties, until he 



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