40 EQUIPMENT. 



caused in this manner, all directly occasioned by 

 stumbling, when, in guarding against the fall, the 

 stock was suddenly thrown over to the front, 

 and the hammers, striking the ground,, exploded 

 the charge. 



One of the safest, easiest, and readiest methods 

 of carrying the gun is across the front of the 

 body, the. barrels pointing diagonally upwards, the 

 fore end of the stock resting in the hollow of 

 the left arm, and the gun held in position by 

 the left hand, which grasps the wrist ' of the 

 stock. The right hand instead of the left may 

 be used to hold the stock, in which case the 

 fingers of the left simply lie behind the ham- 

 mer. With the barrels over the shoulder and 

 the stock to the front is always a good way ; 

 but care should be taken, especially if hunting 

 in company, to keep the muzzle well elevated. 

 In a boat, lay the gun in such a position that 

 the muzzle may be pointing from you, and hunt 

 as little with a greenhorn companion as possible. 



THE ACT OF SHOOTING. 



I shall suppose my readers to have at least 

 a fair knowledge of shooting in the field, and, 

 therefore, will not attempt a discourse upon the 



