CHAPTER I. 



I suppose I must say a few words as to the 

 comparative merits of breech and muzzle loaders ; 

 for, to my mind, notwithstanding I am willing 

 to acknowledge the general superiority of the 

 new invention, the muzzle-loader possesses several 

 decided advantages which entitle it to merit, 

 and, in certain cases, to preference in selecting 

 the most suitable weapon. 



The chief superiority of the breech-loader lies 

 in its capability of being so quickly reloaded 

 when in the field or boat, and this alone is a 

 sufficient advantage to compensate for many other- 

 wise serious objections ; for, no matter how smart 

 a man may be with a muzzle-loader, he will often 

 lose many opportunities of shooting, through not 

 being ready loaded, while to the patron of the 

 breech-loader such occurrences are very rare, pro- 

 vided he has plenty of loaded cartridges handy. This 



19 



