37 



gun down from the shoulder after firing, drop the 

 stock inside the elbow, and hold it firmly against 

 the body with the upper arm ; then, grasping the 

 barrels tightly with the left hand a few inches 

 in front of the hinge, unfasten the lever with the 

 right, and lower the barrels down easily. Use 

 either hand to withdraw and insert the shells, 

 holding the gun in position with the other. The 

 gun should then be closed in the same careful 

 manner. The whole operation, so long on paper, 

 can thus be performed as quickly as in any other 

 way, if not quicker. 



In loading a muzzle-loader, study to make as 

 few motions as possible, and those short and di- 

 rect. If shooting from a boat, have a large, straight 

 rod nearly the size of the bore, with which you 

 may push the wads down as quick as you please. 

 A quick-loading flask, i.e., one having a large 

 feed-hole to the charger, should also be used. 



It is often desirable, where ducks are flyihg in 

 spurts, or cripples are to be secured, to load 

 as fast as possible. In order to do this, the 

 shooter should provide himself with a few 

 thin metallic tubes (tin is good), about an 

 inch and a half in length, with an inside 

 diameter equal to the bore of the gun. Then, 



