THE GUN, AND HOW TO TOE IT. 119 



Ten shots can easily be fired, to bit the mark, by a 

 practised hand, within the minute ; and I have never 

 taken in my hand any gun, which it is easier to bring to 

 the shoulder and eye, on which it is more ready to take a 

 swift and sure aim, or which shoots more truly or at a 

 better range. 



It is extremely simple, the commonest smith being able 

 to repair every part. No gun can be cleaned with greater 

 facility, since, on the removal of the breech by the with- 

 drawal of two pivots and a guide-screw, the light is ad- 

 mitted to the interior of the barrel, at the base, so that 

 the smallest speck of dust or oxidization can be at once 

 detected and removed. 



The base of the loading chamber, which receives the 

 charge, is furnished with a hollow thorn, or tige, as it is 



