AND AMERICAN RURAL SPORTS. 
69 
his hand towards the Bear, but so soon as the Lion saw it, 
he sprang to the Bear, and kept his head resting over it 
for some time: he has so fatigued himself with watching, 
that as soon as he lies down he falls asleep, but awakens 
again at the first noise that is made, and springs to the 
object of his care. 
This seems to us astonishing indeed, and will no doubt 
attract the notice of naturalists. — N. Orleans Emporium. 
INSTRUCTIONS TO YOUNG SPORTSMEN. 
No. II. 
Having now gone through the necessary requirements 
to familiarize yourself with your gun, as laid down in my 
instructions, No. I. you may enter the field in search of 
game; but before we prosecute our excursion, it will be 
necessary here to make some remarks on your dress, 
accoutrements, manner of loading, and ammunition. 
In these respects I differ, more or less, from most 
authors, especially English writers, who in the articles of 
dress recommend shoes, gaiters, and hunting coats with 
large pockets. As the latter are worn and recommended 
by many Sportsmen, I will analyze some of their proper- 
ties, and see whether there is any thing else to recommend 
them, but because they are styled hunting coats, and 
others wear them. This description of coat, from the im- 
mense size of the pockets, is intended to supersede a game- 
bag; — my objections to it are, the size of the coat, the 
inconvenience of the large pockets, and the slovenly ap- 
pearance of the wearer. 
This country so abounds with thickets, and other places 
difficult of access under the best circumstances, in which 
game always seek refuge, that a superfluity of clothing 
should be avoided. Then it will be found that the huge 
pockets, (more like saddle-bags,) will, if filled with game, 
hang dangling about your knees, and retard your pro- 
gress much, — or, should the high grass or bushes be wet, 
from rain or dew, the intolerable chafing of the thighs 
consequent to this unwieldy coat, will render it a grie- 
vous burden, all of which might be avoided by a more 
tidy and compact dress. English Sportsmen may adopt 
the usages of their own country, while residing among us, 
as it respects the sporting materiel; but in regard to 
myself, I would wear and recommend to others, the follow- 
ing: — Boots and pantaloons, and roundabout jacket with 
standing collar, made of some strong fabric suitable to 
the season, and a cap. The accoutrements necessary are 
a game-bag, powder-flask of Sykes’ patent, to contain half 
S 
a pound, and a single shot-bag, with spiral spring charge, 
to contain four pounds of shot — this, in all conscience, is, 
or ought to be, sufficient for one day’s hunt. A man who 
would shoot more than four pounds of shot in one day 
at the ordinary ground game, does not deserve the name of 
Sportsman; this quantity will make fifty charges, and if a 
greater number than this is used at game, the shooter must 
either kill an undue proportion, or miss so frequently, as 
to make him unworthy of the title; for I hold it as a prin- 
ciple, that no one who is desirous of being considered a 
man of feeling, should kill more game than may be used 
for the table, — and him who does not kill once out of every 
two shots he makes, falls far short of that, which in my 
view, constitutes a Sportsman. It is not to be understood, 
that I am now speaking of the learner; it is expected that 
he will miss, and that very often, but I wish to impress on 
his mind how far he may go, and in what proficiency he 
may consider himself a Sportsman. 
The advantages of the dress which I recommend, are 
its compactness, so as not to interfere with other ob- 
jects — the comfort, greater neatness, and sportsmanlike 
appearance of the wearer; and when he wishes either 
to rest himself, or partake of refreshment in the house 
or field, he can divest himself of the ^ame-bag and other 
articles, and thus be released of a tiresome load at once, 
and thereby feel light and airy; but him that wears a 
hunting coat cuts at all times the same ludicrous figure, 
with his huge pockets filled, and the only plan remains 
for him is, either to take off his coat, or the game from 
his pockets, which is not always practicable or convenient. 
Again, look at the two persons in the field, — the former ap- 
pears like a Sportsman, and his errand cannot be mistaken; 
while the other looks sneaking, and as though other arti- 
cles might be stowed away, in his capacious wallets, besides 
game. These hunting coats savour strongly of having had 
their origin with Poachers. 
I will now suppose you are pressing your way to the 
fields, the first of which you enter; call in your dogs, 
and bring them to the “down charge,” and then com- 
mence loading your gun. Previous to this, however, 
it will be well to discharge a cap on each tube, in order to 
clear them or the chambers from any dirt, or other sub- 
stance which may have lodged there; this is all-sufficient, 
and prevents the necessity of discharging a load of pow- 
der, or as many call it, “ squibbing off your gun.” When 
you load, gripe the gun with your left hand about the top- 
most thimble, and hold the muzzle from you eight or ten 
inches, then with your right hand pour the powder first in 
the off barrel, after which the near one, and then take 
from your right pocket the wadding, which settle down on 
the powder firm, but not too hard. Your wadding should 
