The Arkansas advocate., 1836-12-23
From the 54tur4av Chronicle.
AMERICAN RIFLEMEN IN ENGEA!

AMERICAN RtFLEMEN IN ENGLAND.
 After having suPped in coffee rooH Viih several very agreeable and intelligent fellows, ] smoked c. gar with rather gentenany and spirited young man. who dfessed n green hunting coat with yellow buttons, o@ crowned and broad brnhfed hat with riding whip a his hand. He seemed 10 be well known 10 every body, and cenversed in fluent, easy and manly way Hpon all kinds oi sporting topics hunting racing, sb8eng, Sse. &e. ] toHad that he was oae Of the most accomplished sportsman tIe neigh borhood-and lie informed me that pigeon match 10 take place about mile distant, the Allowing morning. resolved 10 be present. All tie feelings of my hunting dags iia Kentucky and the Far West came over me; forgot entirely that was in England and stranger. But l did not forget 10 hasten io my bed room to put tnv rife in order You remember doubtless, that in my town was second 10 none n the Of that deadly instrument. Ihere0fe, ina- zine casting bullets in the kitchen and putting eve " thng Tn tun for using one of the best rifles our country has produced M heart beat high with pride and hope; indeed hardly slept all night for the thought that-shoad 1 be lucky with single ball tuo-how the natives would stare Forgive me- If fell con idence bordering upon vanity really could not help t; though knew ihe birds only o be fired al wih shot-yet hoped to make rife match with some on the ground, (as many spare birds to be taken.)
 The hour and large party repaired 10 the field -I among the rest soon found that inc sport was uncommon al this season of the year-buf the match vas held for lhe purpose of settling particular bet. The pigeons were brought the ground in large bas- kets aud placed oae sometimes tlc0 al tim. m kind olrap, a the distance ofwenfy-one yards from he mark ,Hlan. They were called biue pig cons, and when he signal was given they fled with great fapdi- Y aud strength. The two competitors fired ioeraby well, bu my sporting friend had inc better, because when they fired with double bafelled guns al 'lwos," he c0ntrved, wilh great coolness and dexlefily to bring down both his birds, twice out of three imes Tie match ended by his killing fen birds onl of twelve, whle his rival shot nine. He then turned 10 me and said--
 II suppose you shoot better than that in Afderica." "No," sand 1. ";hat k very toIcrdbIe shooting any where" .Bui," he asked, swhat in the name of all that IS ridiculous could have induced you lo brng your rifle pigeon match! Ii is of no whatey- CT in hIs kind of sport. How small the barrel s! never saw 50 singular an inslfuinent.n
 alt is piece which requires seyenty-6ye balls 10 inc pound." "Pohsw!" exclaimed he, Il never heard of such thing, have bm little power. Our rifles carry balls of three quarters of an ounce each"
 "Ael will try you at six pigeons each win it, giy- ing you the advantage of one just for friendly dinner between four Of us.'
 H"Agreed! Not that I expect to win but as have gained something handsome already, an nol parcu- lar about losing. Besides do not believe that you, with all your practice, possibly strike bird with single ball. IL seems so exiraerdlnary.n
 The birds were unrapped by one, and public ex- peclalIon excited do you, very greaf degree. Even l began 10 fancy had been too self confident n offering to shoot pigeons with rife However the distance tempted me, and knew if they flew straight forward l would have good chance.
 Ne cast lots for the inst shot 1t fell to my rival ;-I loaded and he fired-but he missed every shot. He bore the disappointment, however, with excellent hu mor took the rifle the first bird flew slant wise in so singular that could mol bring the sight 10 bear, -aiier raising ny piece to my shoulder ower ed il again, and allowed the pigeon 10 escape without firing You know the Kentucky rule-"Neyer shoot til you are sure'' The second bird served me in the same manner, and I again lowered my piece. The by-standers manifested signs of disappointment. and