54 PRAIRIE AND FOREST 
length. The stock, however, was always inconvenient, par- 
ticularly when loading while the horse was going at speed. 
Small-bored. arms are to be avoided. The trappers and 
professional hunters use them; but the reason is, that they 
require much less ammunition than those of larger calibre; 
and at the same time, in killing fur-bearing animals, the pelt 
does not become so much torn. A small bullet, when prop- 
erly placed, will do its work instantaneously; but deviation 
of a few inches is so frequent in this, which may be called 
snap-shooting, that the more severe shock and larger wound 
of the big projectile are eminently more effective. 
