148 MANUAL FOE YOUNG SPORTSMEN. 



brought to the shoulder, and while it is rising, by which 

 means it will find the sights in opposition the most easily, 

 and often almost without an effort. Though it is neces- 

 sary to get a sure aim before firing, it is not necessary 

 to dwell on it before doing so. Every second between the 

 having taken true sight and the giving fire is a second lost, 

 or worse than lost ; for the longer the rifle is held to the 

 face the greater the tension of the muscles and the nerves, 

 and the likelier are both to shake and give way. The 

 first true sight is always, with all fire-arms, the best sight, 

 and a quick shot has as much, or more, the advantage over 

 a slow shot, with the rifle as with any other weapon. 



It is perfectly easy to be at the same time a quick and 

 a deliberate shot with a rifle, just as it is with any other 

 weapon, and the union is of course invaluable. 



In learning to shoot with the rifle, therefore, celerity 

 of taking aim and the habit of giving fire instantane- 

 ously when the aim is taken, are the points to be prac- 

 tised most diligently — the latter more especially, since on 

 the simultaneous action of eye and finger every thing 

 depends. 



I particularly advise and caution beginners against the 

 habit of firing the rifle from a rest, and I advise them as 

 early as possible to practise at objects in motion. A per- 

 son may have acquired perfect precision and certainty in 

 shooting with rests and telescope sights at the smallest 

 objects, and at long ranges, and yet may be totally inca- 

 pable of taking a steady aim, where he can obtain no 

 extraneous support, even at a large mark. 



In field shooting at game, it is not once in fifty times 



