The men of the 9th Wilts not being aware that eventually rifles would be supplied to them by the Government, and being anxious to compete for prizes with other corps, in many instances from an early date they had provided themselves with weapons, generally Enfields, of the usual bore and shape, and with these constant practice was being made at the ranges; so that by the summer, when challenges between corps were frequent, and prize meetings being held, not a few of the officers and men had become good shots and held their own wherever they entered. The ground selected as a practice ground was an easy one to shoot over, the steep turfy hill against which the targets were placed forming an excellent background; but by whom the said range was passed as a rifle range deponent sayeth not. He could not have been to Hythe, or had much notion of the erratic flight of an elongated projectile, or of the difficulty even the best-drilled soldiers in the service find in avoiding accidents, where your line of fire extends across sundry footpaths, a canal, and a railroad. That there were no accidents is attributable more to good luck than good guidance. The shorter ranges across the canal were tolerably secure. A red flag, much shouting, and an occasional despatch of one of the squad to the dangerous point managed to stay man, woman, or child from running into danger, and informed the cursing bargee of his being cared for; but when it came to long distances, where shouts and signals were unheeded, or where the height of the trajectory was deemed safety sufficient, then came a question as to whom was the sanction of this being used as a range due. The Great Western Railway Company evidently for very many years troubled themselves not about such trifles as bullets through their carriages, for on the edge of the line was a firing point, where, _of course_, the firer was able to check himself instantly should an express or other very fast train or engine suddenly cloud his vision. Be all this as it may, the corps both drilled well and shot well, and from an early date up to the present time sent forth steady and good shots. Amongst these may be numbered Assist.-Surgeon, afterwards Hon. Major, Wm. Adye, winner of the Officers' Challenge Cup at Devizes, silver claret jug, various vases, &c., Sergeant George Adye, Sergeant Neale, Corporal Davis, Privates Scutt, Reddrop, Merrett, Chas. Adye, Wallman, &c.