l admit; then return his piece, _muzzle up_, to the Instructor, who
will carefully examine it and satisfy himself that all the chambers have
been expended.

Should a revolver miss fire, it is most important that great caution
should be used, as it will sometimes '_hang fire_,' which the cartridges
of all weapons are liable to do at times.[A] When a cartridge does not
explode the revolver should be held in the same position as much as
possible, muzzle to the front, or downwards, for a few seconds; should
it not then explode it may be examined, the non-exploded cartridge
removed and condemned, and a new cartridge put in its place. On no
account should the condemned cartridge be placed with or near live
cartridges.

Firearms should never, under any pretence, be pointed at anybody; even
if unloaded, such a practice is foolish and unpardonable. No soldier
except in action would ever think of doing so, and no gentleman could.

The thoughtless practice of relinquishing one's weapon into the hands of
a friend, or, even worse, a stranger, is against all military rules, and
in any case is strongly to be condemned, and no excuse will palliate
such an offence; not even the assurance that the piece is unloaded. A
brother-comrade in the same regiment is, perhaps, the only exception;
but even this is objectionable, except in extreme cases. As a rule, a
soldier should never _relinquish_ his piece, even to a General or a
Field Officer.

Firearms generally, and particularly revolvers, when loaded or unloaded,
should never be laid upon a table so that the muzzle can accidentally
cover any one. If they must be relinquished by the owner they should be
placed in a corner of the room farthest from the door, leaning against
the wall, muzzle down, so that they cannot fall. If loaded they may,
when practicable, be laid upon a side-table, muzzle towards the wall.
Guns or rifles should be stood muzzle up in their place in the rack, or,
if there is no rack, then in a corner of the room farthest from the
door, to prevent surprise. No weapon of any kind should be carried or
put down, or left at full-cock, and no loaded weapon should be left
unprotected. They should, if loaded, be in the charge of some
trustworthy and responsible person; but in the time of war no man would
be so foolish as to relinquish his piece, either by night or by day.

To sportsmen and others, with the great facilities for loading and
unloading afforded by the breech-loadin