IN THEORY AND PRACTICE 
3 
have a trial of a sheet before making so many, as in that case 
I should have been saved much time and vexation. The first 
time the kite was flown, the target whirled round and careered 
about in mad fashion, loudly humming in the air as it did so, 
and away went its paper front at once, flying off in tatters, 
just like a flock of seagulls as a genial friend who was present 
remarked. 
After this experience I decided that paper applied to the 
frame in this way was useless, especially as the same catastrophe 
occurred on every trial. This was a lesson. My next idea was 
that if I strengthened the paper front by nailing linen behind it 
over the frame of the target, then all would be well. This did 
not, however, have the desired effect, as the paper went off again 
on the wings of the wind, just as it had done previously when 
it had no protective backing of linen. 
I now gave up all idea of paper, and had strips of thin 
linen sewn together so as to form a piece 7 ft. by 7 ft. I attached 
this piece to the edges and cross-pieces of the frame of the target 
by drawing-board pins, and on hoisting it 100 yds. high in a 
strong wind the linen front held perfectly and showed no sign 
of ripping off the frame as the paper had done. Still, however, 
it was most difficult to control the target and poise it aloft with 
suflicient steadiness to be a level mark to shoot at ; for it 
whirled about and entangled itself with the string of the kite in 
the most provoking manner. When lowered near the ground, 
and swinging at the end of its long cord, it ' took charge,' and 
was most unpleasant in its wild gyrations, and we had to advance 
and retreat and snatch at it till we secured it — an almost perilous 
performance. If we had allowed the target to drop of its own 
accord it would have been smashed to pieces. 
Then the wind seldom suited. If we required a good 
B 2 
