HANDLING THE GTJN. 275 



In partridge- sliooting not more than two guns 

 should be permitted in the field with young hands, 

 or mischief will be the result ; and I would sug- 

 gest a few rules to be obsei-ved by young sports- 

 men. In loading, the gun should be held in the 

 left hand at arm's length, the hammer down on the 

 nipple, and the cap put on after the gun is 

 charged. The safest position in which it can be 

 carried is under the right arm, with the muzzle 

 pointing downwards. When game is expected to 

 rise the piece may be transferred to the left arm, 

 or held forwards in both hands. In going through 

 hedges or over fences the hammer should be 

 brought to half-cock, and the barrel held upwards ; 

 and in giving the gun to another person it should 

 be held perpendicularly also, and the stock de- 

 livered in this position. 



A schoolfellow of mine w^as shot dead on the 

 first of September, a few years since, by his friend 

 handing his gun to him through a hedge. The 

 piece was on full-cock, and a twig catching the 

 trigger, it went off, and lodged the contents in his 

 side. Similar accidents are continually occurring 

 from the careless manner in which guns are 

 handled by inexperienced people. From the in- 

 cautious use also of powder and the powder-horn, 

 serious disasters will ensue. Of this kind I have 



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