The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-03-06
The Kentuckian in Malta.

a gentleman attached 10 'Old lrohsidcS,'
during her last cruise, has permitted us 10 dip
into his Journal, which is as rich as Call oun'S
gold mine, The following is peculiarly fine
We passed. three weeks IN Malta, waiting
for dispatches. Various plans were devised
TO kill Time, and never did it pass so pleasant
ly away. Fishing, rowing, dinners, suppers,
etc, formed our principal amusements, and
as the harbor was filed with vessels of all
nations, an interchange ofnaional culrtesieS
was kept up until our anchor was weighed
and old Ironsiles' again before The breeze.
At one OF the entertainments given Oh
shore by the officers OF n British fligate, the
conversation turned upon rife shooting,
which led to an animated discussion, in which
our officers took part.
i have often heard said the commander OF
the Thunderer, shat you have some fellows
in your country called Kentuckans, who are
.cckoned great shots with The rifle
YES sir replied Lieut.. N, ',heir fame
is great in that line, which is easily accounted
for. As soon us they are able 10 shoulder
rifle, they commence practising, and in the
course time become excellent marEsmelI.
They MAY he very clever, hut believe we
have better shots on board our vessel
Il do not belong to that section of the coun-
try observed Lieut.. N, 'nud have hnd
bur little practice with the rife; but if mis-
take not, we have kentuckian i'll company,
vino will stand up for his native state.
Yes, Oh all occasions, said our ptrser
tall muscular descendant Of one Of The first
settlers Of the state.
What say you then, gentlemen, 70 IL shoot
ing match tomorrow morning"
Agreed with all our hearts, said The NGin-
KEGS.
The next morning the Iurty met in a benu
tiul grove, aud placed their target seventy
five yards distant. The English rifle is dit
ferent from the American, The barrel being
shorter, and the stock heavier Six picked
men from the Thunderer on the ground,
all Of whom fired. No one however, 'cut the
paper (the size Off dolar,) although several
of the balls were close TO it.
The shots were considered excellent, the
English and French officers present were
greatly astonished ut the proficiency oftle ri
tlenen. The commander of the Thumderer,
turning to the purser, saih with smile:
What do you think otthat? rake it, you'll
find it difficult to come To it,
you may think so--but | consider 1t no
shooting ut uIlr said the Kentuckinn.
'Nous mouterJe haut chevat, said French
officer.
'Je vous montri, said the Kentuckian.
Fire awuyn said the Englishman.
I'll bet n wine supper for all bands said
the kentuckian, 'ilat make three shots AID
every one If which will be better than any
vet made, and each succeeding one better
than the first
I'll take it, said the Englishinan, smiling.
The Kenuckian slowly raised rifle he
brought from home, and fired. The paper
was cut, The second fire was better than
the first and the third bored The centre Moth
ing could depict the surprise ofull present;
the Englishman acknowledged the corn, and
said he was satisfied. The Kentuckian ell
joyed hearty laugh, declaring it was moth
ing to what lie could do-that he would be
ashamed ofsuch firing in old kuntuck. Roll
ing n quid from one quarter of his capaciOuS
receiver to another, he continued,
Il must have another shot TO show you
what can be done with rifle, and to convince
my French friend am not boa sting.
The whole party stood silent in Il row, and
the Kentuckiah retreated about forty yards,
making the distance from The tree to where he
stood, near one hundred and twenty yards
Ordering piece of paper ofthe same size of
the other to be put up in the same place, he
his broad hriinmed beaver
over his eyes,and after taking deliberate aim,
blazed away. ,.. ... ..... ~ .....,..... ..-
That was rather too low he said, The ball
is about the eighth of an inch below the pa.
per! the next time I'll bring it, ........ ...
On examination the ball was found 20 he
where he said it was, which III
creased the astonishment the remarkable shot
had produced on all present, with the exeep-'
ton, of the Yankees who We're used to it,
This lick will bring the persimmon, said
the KentGckiaii; as he raised his piece high
up, and gradually lowered it and fred. The
paper fell from the tree, ihe ball 'driNina;
home the nail with it, language cannot
describe the looks ofihe foreigners, and par
tticuiarly the natives,who crowded around the
Kentuckian in MANNERS. That night the
wine flowed ircelya the 'Ofi Admiral's, and
a more joyous party neycr wetm MaIlu.-Er>
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