Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1836-10-20
MISCELLANY.
AMERICAN RIFLEMEN IN ENG
LAND
SOUTHAMPTON, july, 1886.

oOS july, 1850.
After having supped in the coffee room
with several very agreeable and intelligent
fellows, smoked a cigar with rather gem
llemanly and spirited young man. who was
dressed IA green hunting coat with yellow
buttons, low crowned and broad brimmed
hat, with riding wniP N
seemed 10 be we'll known 10 every body
and conversed in fluent, easy and manly
way upon all kinds of sporting tonics-hun-
ting, racing, shooting, &c. &c. soon found
that he was one OF the most accomplished
sportsmen in the neig hborhood-a he in
formed me that pigeon match was to take
place about mile distant, the follow ng
morning. | resolved TO be present. All
the feelings ofmy hunting days in Kentucky
and the Far West came over ne; forgot
entirely that was in England-and a siran-
ger But | did not forget TO hasten 10 my
bed room and pat my rifle in order. You
! remember, doubtless, that in my own town
was second 10 none in The use OF that dead.
ly instrument. Therefore, imagine me cast
ing bullets in the kitchen end putting every
thing in trim for the purpose Of using one OF
the best rifles our country has produced. My
heart beat high with pride and hope indeed
hardly slept all night for the thought that
-shoult be lucky, with single bail too,
how the natives would stare Forgive
lily, really could not helpit; Though knew
the birds were only TO be fired at with shot
yet hoped to make rifle match with
were TO be taken.
The hour came and a large party repaired
to the field among the rest soon found
that the sport was uncommon al this season
OF the year-but the match was held for the
purpose of settling particular bet. The
pigeons were brought on the ground in large
baskets, and were placed one, sometimes ttuO,
al a time, in kind Of trap, at the distance of
twenty one yards from The maIksmen.
They are called blue pigeons, and when the
signal was given they fled with great rapidi-
ty and strength. The two competitors fired
tOIerabiy well, but my sporting friend had
the better, because when they fred with dor
BILE barreiled guns at "twos," he contrived,
with great GOODNESS and deXierlty, 10 bring
down both Of his birds, twice out Of three
times The match ended by his killing ten
birds out Of twelve, while his rival only shot
une. Ie then turned to me and said
81 suppose you shoot heller than that in
America 20 "No" said |, "lhat is very
toerable shooting any where" "But," he
asked, "what in the name OF all that is ride
uous, could have induced you to bring your
rifle to- pigeon match Its OF no use what
ever in this kind of sport. How small the
barrel is Inever saw so singular an instru
ment."
"Tt is piece which requires sevehty-Iive
balls TO the pound" "Pshaw 20 exclaimed
he, 81 never heard of snch thing, il can
have but littlepowe Dor rifles carry balls
Of three quarters Of an ounce each"
"Weli, | will Try you al six pigeons each
with it, giving you the advantage Of one,
e. hot, f., 4 -
"Agreed Not that expect 10 win
hut as | have gained something handsome
already, I am not particular about losing.
Besides, do not believe that even you, with
all your practice. can possibly strike bird
with single ball. 1t seems so cxtraordi-
nary"
The birds we're trapped one by one, and
public expectation was excited, do assure
you, TO a very great degree. Even I began
10 fancy bad been too self-coh6dent in Of
feriSg 10 shoot pigeons with a rife. How