278 THE STILL-HUNTER. 



the barrel the less you will be troubled with any re- 

 flection of light from its edges and the clearer will be 

 its outlines. 



3d. The left arm should be well extended along the 

 barrel so that the elbow makes a very obtuse angle. 

 The advantage of this is that the rifle may be thus 

 turned more quickly upon the mark; quite an impor- 

 tant matter when the mark is moving. But when game 

 is standing or you are shooting at a target the ad- 

 vantages of this position are not apparent. But as it 

 is quicker and better for some kinds of shooting, and 

 just as good as any for all kinds, the habit of so hold- 

 ing the arm had better be cultivated. 



There are two ways of shooting. 



ist. Shooting with a steady arm. Here the rifle lies 

 in the hands almost like a log in mud. It is held fairly 

 on the mark and kept there until fired. 



2d. Shooting with an unsteady arm. Here the rifle 

 cannot be held still. The front sight will wander 

 around, over, under, and across the mark. All the 

 shooter can do is to fire when the front sight touches 

 the mark in crossing it; generally when coming up from 

 below. 



The first way, or shooting with a steady hand, is the 

 only way in which first-class shooting can be done; 

 for no other mode can be relied upon for a long con- 

 tinuance or series of good shots. This is the method 

 of all the best, or rather most reliable, shots at game. 

 But it must not be supposed that this implies any 

 slowness. The rifle need not lie at rest for over half 

 a second, and generally does not do so. A good shot 

 using this method will appear to shoot even quicker 

 than one using the second method. Yet there is a 

 short time when the rifle does lie, practically at least, 



