Hints on Shooting. 259
of a better plan of adapting the "lever-stick." It is shown in the accompanying diagram (below). The fault of the previous plan, is the trouble of tying the string to the trigger ; since its curvature is usually such as to make it a matter of some painstaking to fix it securely. A, B, c, is the " lever-stick." Notch it deeply at A, where it is to receive the trigger ; notch it also at B, half an inch from A ; and at a, 5 inches or so from B. In lashing B to the grip of the stock at D, the firmer you make the lashing, the better. If n admit of any yielding movement, on a being pulled, the gun will not go off, either readily or surely ; as will easily be seen, on making experiment.
3rd Method.-I am indebted to Captain J. Meaden for the following account of the plan used in Ceylon for setting a spring gun for leopards:
" Remove the sear, or tie up the trigger. Load the gun, and secure it at the proper height from the ground. Opposite the muzzle of the gun, or at such distance to the right, or left, as may be required, fasten the end of a black string, or line made of horsehair or fibre, and pass it across the path to the gun. Fasten the other end to a stake, long enough to stand higher than the hammer. Stick the end of the stake slightly in the ground, and let it rest upright against the lock projection; the black line being fastened nearly at that height. Pass round the small of the stock a loop of single or double string. Take a piece of stick 6 or 8 inches long, pass through the loop, and twist tourniquet fashion until the loop is reduced to the required length. Raise the hammer carefully, and pass the short end of the lever-stick, from the inner to the outer side, over the comb, and let the long
