GUNS. 21 



had at " travellers," as they are termed by the hunt- 

 ers — i.e., ducks making long flights, often migrat- 

 ing, flying high in the air, offering few shots 

 under fifty yards and more over sixty. This 

 kind of shooting requires a good gun and heavy 

 loading, lots of powder, and large shot if pro- 

 curable — so much powder, five to six drachms, 

 that it would be folly to make a practice of 

 using so large an amount in ordinary sport ; con- 

 sequently, the shells being usually loaded with 

 common charges, this sport must be given up, or 

 the shells emptied and reloaded more heavily, a 

 tedious job when ducks are flying thickly. With 

 a muzzle-loader all one needs to do is to raise 

 his charges a notch or two, and he is ready to 

 kill his farthest. Again, on the other hand, 

 very close shooting may often be had when avail- 

 able ammunition is not very plentiful. It is then, 

 of course, desirable to lessen our charges as much 

 as possible, in order to receive the greatest benefit 

 from our opportunities. And here, again, the 

 muzzle-loader has the preference. 



To be brief, a man risks fewer long, wild shots 

 with a muzzle-loader, and consequently wastes 

 less ammunition, has less extra bulk and weight 

 to carry, as shells, loading-tools, etc. ; and in boat- 



