first, simply from lack of use. A small screwdriver soon had it to
pieces, and it speedily clicked again sweet as a flute. If the hammer
came back rather far when at full-cock, that was because the lock had
been converted from a flint, and you could not expect it to be
absolutely perfect. Besides which, as the fall was longer the blow was
heavier, and the cap was sure to explode.

By old farmhouses, mostly in exposed places (for which there is a
reason), one or more huge walnut trees may be found. The provident folk
of those days planted them with the purpose of having their own
gunstocks cut out of the wood when the tree was thrown. They could then
be sure it was really walnut, and a choice piece of timber thoroughly
well seasoned. I like to think of those times, when men settled
themselves down, and planted and planned and laid out their gardens and
orchards and woods, as if they and their sons and sons' sons, to the
twentieth generation, were sure to enjoy the fruit of their labour.

The reason why the walnuts are put in exposed places, on the slope of a
rise, with open aspect to the east and north, is because the walnut is a
foolish tree that will not learn by experience. If it feels the warmth
of a few genial days in early spring, it immediately protrudes its buds;
and the next morning a bitter frost cuts down every hope of fruit for
that year, leaving the leaf as black as may be. Wherefore the east wind
is desirable to keep it as backward as possible.

There was a story that the stock of this gun had been cut out of a
walnut tree that was thrown on the place by my great-grandfather, who
saw it well seasoned, being a connoisseur of timber, which is, indeed, a
sort of instinct in all his descendants. And a vast store of philosophy
there is in timber if you study it aright.