THE GUN, AND HOW TO USE IT. 119 
Ten shots can easily be fired, to hit 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 ata 
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 
