GUNS AND AMMUNITION 



339 



is not always a test of accuracy, as unless the 

 weapon be secured at muzzle and breech it 

 may treat the experimenter in a "flip"-pant 

 manner, for many vises are by no means rig- 

 idly attached to the bench. J. A. Nash. 



LENGTH OF BARREL. 



Editor Recreation : 



Will some one who knows be good enough 

 to tell me through Recreation, if a rifle 24 

 inches long in the barrel has the same kill- 

 ing effect as one that is 28 inches long ; or 

 have they the same energy and trajectory; 

 or does the length of barrel make a differ- 

 ence? 



Also please give some of the practical re- 



sults as to killing power of the .33 caliber 

 Winchester rifle, stating whether it has much 

 recoil, or not — say as compared with a .303 

 Savage. 



G. S. A., Lion's Head, Out. 



The shorter barrel will give slightly less 

 velocity and penetration than the longer one, 

 but the difference is so slight as to be imma- 

 terial. Under the conditions found in actual 

 sport, the shorter barrel might often be pref- 

 erable. 



The .33 Winchester has been thoroughly 

 tried on bear, moose and other large game, 

 and found most efficient. The recoils of both 

 the .33 Winchester and the .303 Savage are 

 moderate. — Editor, 



THE SPIRIT OF THE SEA 



By MARGUERITE OGDEN BIGELOW. 



I have made me a mer-man, full brave and 



full wise, 

 Of salt air of ocean, and deep purple 



skies, 

 Of free winds of Heaven, and deep purple 



wave— 

 I have made me a mer-man. full wise, and 



full brave. 



1 have chained him with sea-grass and 

 crowned him with pearls 



(My mer-man is nobler than princes and 

 earls) ; 



He has named me a pearl, and has crowned 

 me with light, 



And has bound up my tresses with green sea- 

 kale bright. 



Sometimes he is grave, and sometimes he is 



gay, 

 Like the black, oily billows that roll tar 



away, 

 Like the white foaming breakers whose song 



is right glad — 

 Sometimes he is gay and sometimes he is 



sad. 



When the light's in the east I will hasten 

 away 



To greet with my dear one the oncoming 

 day ; 



When eventide darkens, I'll hasten to rest. 



Where he cradles me soft on his slow-throb- 

 bing breast. 



But ever, and always, till oceans are dry, 

 But always, and ever, till Heaven is 



nigh, 

 Our joys and our sorrows together shall 



surge, 

 Like the clouds in the sky, or the waves on 



the verge. 



