Upon the principle that the hand follows the eye, a sportsman fixing both eyes upon his bird can take as perfect an aim as he could with one eye closed.
This rule applies equally to all arms.
A man when in the field or at practice should keep his eyes about him; he should remember whom he is with; that he may be covered by a friend's gun or rifle at any moment, and that as the abominable and unnecessary proceeding of carrying weapons loaded, when not actually in the field, is the rule rather than the exception, he may perhaps find himself accidentally pinked at any moment, and when he little expects it.
I remember some years ago the magnificent solemnity of a military funeral was brought to a somewhat ludicrous termination by one of the firing party shooting his comrade in the stern. How the accident really occurred I never could learn; but it was a fact that the rear-rank man managed somehow to discharge his rifle, and pretty nearly blow off the tail of his comrade's tunic.
The wounded man, who was more frightened than hurt, seemed not at all to relish the joke. An old lady came to the rescue.
This good old soul seems to have been in the habit of carrying a flask, and, graciously offering the 'pocket pistol,' suggested a drop of the creature. The offer was most readily accepted, but, I regret to say, the terror of the injured man was so great that he emptied the flask. He had evidently had enough of soldiering and 'villainous saltpetre,' for the very next day he sent in his resignation.
At ball practice men should refrain from talking, joking, and that ungentlemanly pastime known as horse-play. Their attention should be directed to what they are about to do and what others are doing, and they should leave frivolities for some other time.
Many accidents in the field have occurred when getting over stiles, gates, hurdles, stone walls, and even through hedges.
Within the beautiful glades of Kensington Gardens stands a lasting memorial.
IN MEMORY OF
SPEKE.
VICTORIA, NYANZA,
AND THE NILE.
1864.