148 MANUAL FOR 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 dest 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 
