64 A MONTH IN THE FORESTS OF FRANCE. 



other pockets save the usual one in the skirt for a 

 handkerchief; white pantaloons, which were almost 

 concealed by the skirts of the frock coat meeting my 

 high jackboots ; and brown gauntlet gloves, fasten- 

 ing, of course, considerably above the wrist ; a pouch- 

 belt, such as is worn in the cavalry, for my cartridges ; 

 and also a waistbelt, carrying a straight sheath for my 

 hunting-knife, made with a clasp, and having in it a 

 lancet, tweezers, and picker, — each belt of brown 

 leather; my straight hunting-horn stuck in the 

 waistbelt, to the latter of which a little pouch was 

 also added, sufficient to carry some wadding and eight 

 balls. To these equipments, at the request of my 

 friends, I added a French sling for my gun, consisting 

 of a broad belt cast over the right shoulder, to which 

 is added a stiff" leathern case for the gun, — the gun 

 hanging down behind the left thigh, after the fashion of 

 a sword. This case is wadded, and made to keep a 

 purchase on the front of the trigger-guard, so that 

 the hammers are not endangered ; and when the 

 leather which is at the top of it is tied and secured 

 round the small of the stock, no wet can reach to the 

 inside to damp the powder. 



If I go to beautiful France and her perfect wood- 

 lands again, as my kind friends have asked me to do, 

 I would not have one leathern belt upon me, and for 



