If he hits next shot, his lesson is finished.
In the very improbable event of his again missing, then you will have to continue your instruction as for one of the below class of pupil.
It is of vital importance to give him absolute confidence in his ability to hit his man.
He should on no account be allowed to see others pistol shooting.
The most difficult pupil to instruct in half an hour is the man who is an expert pistol shot at a stationary target, but who has never attempted to shoot rapid-firing or at a moving target.
If he has besides never used a shotgun, his is almost a hopeless case.
He is certain not to raise his pistol before the word “feu,” but it must be drummed into him that if he cannot let off his pistol before the word “trois” he must not shoot at all, or he will be hung for murder.
Then the half hour can be spent in trying to get him to squeeze and let off in time, but probably the only result will be terribly wild shots, and he will finish with a feeling of despair as to his ability to hit his opponent.
I think it is best with such men not to let them have any practice but merely to tell them that they must keep the butt of their pistol to their thigh, till the word “feu” and that they will be hung if they fire after the word “trois.”
In the actual duel, they will either miss or, what is more likely, lift the pistol well up to the sky, begin slowly to lower it, and that will be all, as they will not have fired before the word “trois” is spoken.