Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1837-06-17
AMERICAN RIFLEMEN IN ENGLAND.
SOuTu AMpToN Jnlv 1897

SOUTHAMPTONs July, 1901.
After having sapped in the coffee room with
several very agreeable and intelligent fellows
l smoked a cigar with a rather gentlemanly
and spirited young man, who was dressed In
a green hunting coat with yellow buttons, low
crowned and broad brimmed hat, with riding
whip in his hand. He seemed to be well
known to every body, and conversed in a flu
ent, easy and manly way upon all kinds Of
sporting topics---hunting, racing, shooting. &c.
&c. ! soon found that he was one Of the most
accomplished sportsmen in the neighborhood
land he informed me that pigeon match was
TO take piace at about mile distant, the fol-
lowing morning. resolved to De present
All the feelings Of my hunting days in Ken
lucky and the Far West came over me; for
gotentircly that was in England--.and stran-
ger. But did not forget TO hasten to my bed
room and put my fife in order. You remem-
Der, doubtless, that in my own town was Sc
cond to none in the use of that deadly iustru-
ment. Therefore, imagine me casting bullets
in the kitchen and putting every thing in trim
fog the purpose of using one of the best rifles
cur country has produced. My heart beat high
with pride and hope; indeed I hardly slept all
night for the thought---shouldl be lucky, with
a single ball, too,---how the natives wonld
stare! Forgive me if felt confidence bor-
dering upon vanity, really could not help it;
though knew the birds were only to be fired
at with shot---yet hoped to make rifle match
with some on the ground, Gas many spare birds
were to be taken.
The hour came, and large party repaired
to the feld---l among the rest ! soon found
that the sport was uncommon at this season Of
the year---but the match was held for the pur-
pose of settling particular bet. The pigeons
were brought on the ground in large baskets,
and were placed one, sometimes t,co, at time
in kind of trap, at the distance Of twenty-oDe
yards from the marksmen. They were called
blue pigeons, aud when the signal was given
they fed with great rapidity and strength.
The two competitors fired toleraby well, but
my sporting friend had the better, bebause
when they fired with double-barrelled guns at
s.twos,' he contIivcd, with great GOODNESS and
dexterity, to bring down both his birds, twice
out of three times. The match ended by his
killing ten birds out of twelve, while his rival
only shot nine. He then turned to me and
said--..I suppose you shoot better than that in
America ..No," said l, ''that is very toll
cradle shooting any where" "But," he ask
ed, ..what in the name of all that is ridiculous,
could have induced you to bring your rife to
a pigeon match! 1t is of no use whatever in
this kind of sport. How small the barrel is!
| never saw so singular an instrument
at is piece which require, seventy-hve
balls to the pound" "Pshsw!" exclaimed
be, IL never heard Of such thing. itcan have
but little power. Our rifles carry balls OF
three quarters of an ounce EACH"
"Well, will try you at six pigeons each
with it. giving you the advantage Of one: JUST
for friendly dinner between four Of us"
"Agreed! Not that ] expect to wln--.but as
have gained something handsome already, !
I'm not particular about losing: Besides,
10 not believe that even you, with all your
practice, can possibly strike bird with a sim
lie ball. II seems so extraordinary:
The birds were trapped one BY one, and
public expectation was excited, DO assure I
you, to d very great degree. Even began
o fancy had been too self-conident in offer
ny to shoot pigeons with rife. However,
he distance tempted me, and knew If they
led straight forward should have good
nance.
We cast lots for the first shot, it fell to my
ival. l loaded and He fred...but he missed
very shot. He bore the disappointment, how
yer, with excellent humor. took the rife {
1.-The first bird flew slant-wise In so singular
manner that could not bring the sight to
zeal, -after raising my piece to my shoulder
lowered il again, and allowed the pigeon
0 escape without firing You know the Ken.
ucky rule---"Never shoot till you are sure"
The second bird served me in the same man
er, and again lowered my piece. The by,
tanders manifested signs of dissPpointmentand
dissatisfaction, and I---I must confess, teit the
cry reverse Of comfortable. The third pi-
con was Ioosed, and she fled straight AHEAD:
nd when at the distance Of 70 yards at ioast'