Grimgribber Volunteers; on it, they were initiated
into the mysteries of rifle-shooting; on it,
laid the foundation of that system of skill which
will, I doubt not, enable them to carry off the
Queen's prize and a few other trifles at the
forthcoming Wimbledon meeting; on it, they
commenced the practice of a series of fearful
gymnastics, compared with which the crank is a
light and easy amusement, and the stone
excavating at Portland a pleasant pastime.

We had executed our "company-drill" in a
singularly fanciful manner, remarkable chiefly
for its divergence from prescribed rule. Long
absence from parade had rendered us rusty
and entirely oblivious of the meaning of the
various commands. Thus, at the word "fours,"
the rear rank, instead of stepping smartly back,
remained perfectly stationary, while a pleasant
smile overspread the faces of most of its
members at what they considered the extraordinary
conduct of the two or three knowing ones who
moved. In wheeling, the difference of opinion
between the men was even more plainly
exemplified; for, while some clung close to the pivot
man, others ambled away into the far distance,
while the centre portion distributed their favours
equally between the two, rushing sometimes to
the one end, sometimes to the other, so that,
instead of coming up "like a wall," as had so
often been urged upon us, we serpentined about
in a very graceful festoon, and resembled nothing
so much as the letter S. From my ensign's
position in the rear, I had watched Captain Strongbow's
face during the performance of these
manoeuvres, and had every moment expected to
see it overcloud, but, to my astonishment, he
remained perfectly calm, and, at the conclusion of
the drill, he called us together, told us we should
soon "pick up our movements," but that he had
something of far greater importance in store
for us. He here stated that it was most
important that we should perfect ourselves in the
practical portion of shooting; that he had
already prepared four sergeants who would
undertake to instruct various sections of the
corps; and that on that evening the first meeting
for position-drill would take place at his
(Strongbow's) rooms. He hoped he should
have a good attendance, and concluded by telling
us to bring our rifles, and not to eat too
much dinner. What could that last caution
mean? Alas, in a very few hours we knew its
value!

OUR INSTRUCTION IN POSITION-DRILL.
SCENE—A barn attached to Captain Strongbow's
house. Rather a bleak and cheerless place,
with targets painted in black-and-white on the
walls. A flaring lamp on a bracket, lights only
the end portion of the place. Some ten members
of the corps, sergeants and privates, are lounging
about, waiting to begin business. Captain Strongbow
by himself, aiming at a painted target with
marvellous precision. Enter Private Miller,
smoking a short clay pipe; he stares round at the
painted targets on the walls, and then shouts in a
hoarse voice, "Here, y'ar! Now's your time!
Three shots for sixpence! Try your fortune at
the Little Vunder, gents! Pints o' nuts for him
as hits the bull's eye!"

Capt. Strongbow (aghast). For Heaven's
sake, stop this most discreditable noise. Mr.
Miller!

Miller (in broken and melodramatic tones).
Pardon me, noble captain, but the sight of these
targets reminded me of the Greenwich fairs of
early youth!

Strongbow. Pray silence, Mr. Miller! It is
impossible to get on if you indulge in
buffoonery. Now, gentlemen. Fall in! (Sergeants
and privates range themselves in line.) I am
about to put you through position-drill; a course
of instruction which habituates for the correct
position for firing, and teaches you the natural
connexion between the HAND and the EYE.
What are you smiling at, Mr. Skull?

Skull. Nothing, nothing; only Miller—

Strongbow. Miller; what?

Skull. Miller said that Mr. Mace in the last
prize fight, taught Mr. Hurst the natural
connexion between the hand and the eye!

Strongbow. This is most disheartening! Now!
There are three practices. The first word of
command in the first practice is, "As a rear
rank, standing, at three hundred yards, Ready."
On the word ready, make a half-face to the right,
feet at right angles, grasp the rifle firmly with
the left-hand, fingers of right-hand behind the
trigger-guard, body erect, left side perpendicular,
left breast over left foot, shoulders—

Private Pruffle. Stop, sir, pray stop
(confusedly). I can't recollect half that! I've a
short memory! What did you say after making
a face?

(Captain Strongbow repeats the instructions.
All listen attentively, especially Private Miller,
who places his hand behind his ear, bends forward,
and assumes the attitude of the stage savage
expecting the "pale-face.")

Strongbow. Now, as a rear-rank standing
at three hundred yards, ready! (all move
except Skull). Did you hear me, Mr. Skull?
Ready!

Miller. Don't you hear, Skull? Ready!
Present! Fire! (kicks Mr. Skull just above
the calf of his leg, and nearly brings him to the
ground).

Strongbow. Try that again! (motion repeated
several times). Now, at the word "Present,"
without moving the body, head, eye, or hand, in
the slightest degree, throw the rifle smartly to
the point of the right shoulder, at full extent of
the left arm—

Lobjoit (a coarse person). Gammon!

Strongbow. What, sir?

Lobjoit. Stuff, sir! Can't fling a rifle about
without moving your hands! Don't believe in
that!

Strongbow. Pray don't interrupt; it's all
correct; done at Hythe: perfectly possible. Now
—P'sent!

(Five men throw out their rifles bravely to the
front, three bring up theirs slowly and sneakingly,
two boldly support their elbows on their knees, and