i88 FIRST INSTRUCTIONS 



along the barrel of the gun, but I have known some 

 capital shots who never look at the barrel at all. When 

 the birds rise their eyes are instantly fixed on their 

 victim, and the gun rises as if mechanically to the point. 

 When a tyro, the instructions I received from a keeper 

 (who was a dead shot) were to close one eye, and to fire 

 the instant the bird's head crossed the sight. This rule, 

 I am fain to admit, was not always punctually observed ; 

 for having a gun which was inclined to kick a little, it 

 often happened that at the critical moment of pulling 

 the trigger both eyes became closed, and with a nervous 

 bob of the head, a most innocuous discharge against 

 the feathered tribe was the result. A recoiUng gun should 

 never be placed in the hands of a young beginner, as it 

 is ten to one that it spoils him for a good shot, if not 

 for ever afterwards, yet for a considerable time at least. 

 Our keeper, however, formed an exception to this general 

 rule, for he always shot with a violent kicker, because 

 the gun would kill at long distances. There was on his 

 right cheek a regular raw established during the whole 

 shooting season ; but although receiving such tremendous 

 taps that the blood often trickled down his face, he never 

 bobbed his head, nor could we persuade him to resign 

 his favourite. 



Fatal and fearful accidents are of almost daily occur- 

 rence from the imprudent and careless handling of fire- 

 arms, but it is wonderful, considering the immense 

 number of guns now in use, amongst all classes of Her 

 Majesty's liege subjects, and the ignorant hands in 

 which they are continually to be found, that accidents 

 of this kind are not multipHed fifty-fold. Where one 

 gun was in use fifty years ago, there are now at least 

 thirty. This is, of course, all the better for the trade ; 



