Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1849-07-14

tion for which they were getting drunk as
possible TO steady their nerves. Hinch,
the Regulator captain, had always been
the hero of euch occasions-for, in addi-
ton to his being tirst-rate slot, it was
known that it would be dangerous ex-
ertion Of skill for any man TO beat him
for he was furious and yindIctive bully
and would not fail to make personal af.
fair OF it with any one who should morti-
fy his vanity by carrying off the prize
from him. In addition, the band Of Scoun-
drels he commanded was entirely at his
service 10 any extreme, so that they made
fearful odds for single man to contend
with. Everybody else in the county was
aware ofthis state ofthIngs but Jack Long,
and he either didn't know or didn't care.
After they had fred several rounds, he went
lounging listlessly into the crowd which
had gathered around the target, exclaim-
ing in admiration over the last brilliant
shot Of EIinch, which was triumphantly the
best. The bully was as usual clustering
vehementiy ,taanling every one around him,
ly al the famous shot, with no grain of that
deferential admiration in his expression
which was demanded, he snatched up the
board, and thrusting it insultlngly close 10
his face, r0ared out
Here You Jack Long shanks-lool.
at that Take good look Can YOU beat
il? Jack drew back with quiet laugh,
and said good. humoredly-
'Psha! You dou't brag on such shoot
in as that, do you 2
'Brag on it! ID like to see such a
mooneyed chap as you beat il 2
j don't know as I'd be very proud 10
beat such bunglin' work as that
You don't, don't you = yelled the fellow,
now fairly in a rage al Jacks GOODNESS :
Y Quill try il, wOn't. you You must try it!
You shall try it, by Cd ! Wen see
what sort of swell YOU aren
'Oh, WE'LL said Jack, interrupting him
as he VI as proceeding TO rave for quantity,
Just set up your board, if you want to
sec me put ball through every hole you
can make!'
Perfectly astounded a. this rash beard
ing Of the lion-for il was difficult TO tell
whether contempt or simplicity dictated
Jacks manner-the man set up tie board
while he walked back TO lhe stand, and
careIessly swinging his heavy rifle from his
shoulder, fired seemingly quick as thought.
'ft's trick Of mine said he, moving tow.
ards the mark, as he lowered his gun 81
caught it from shootn' varmnts in the eyes
always takes 'em there. It's notion
I've go.,--il's my fun They all ran ca
gerly TO the target, and sure enough his
ball, which was larger than Hinch's, had
passed through the same hole, widening
it
'He's humbug It's all accident
He can't do that again y shouted the ruff
fan, turning pale, ill his lips looked blue
as the board was held up. III bet tie
ears of buffalo calf against his that hc
can't do i, again J?
IF you mean by that TO bet your own
ears against mine, I'll take you up ? said
Jack, laughing, while the men could not
resist joining Aim. .iinch glared around
him with q fierce chated look, before
which those who knew him bes; qualed,
aud with compressed lips silently londed
his gun. A new target was put up, al
which, after long and careful aim, he fired.
The shot was fine one. The edge of tho
ball had just passed the centre. Jack, AZ
ter looking al is, quietly remarked:
Plumbing out the centres in fashion; I'll
show you knick or two, Captain Iiinch,
about the clear thing i'll shoetin'. Give Us
another board there boysP
Another was set up, and after throwing
out his gun on the level, in tho same rap
id careless style as before, he fired: aud
when the eager crowd around the target
announced that he haddriven the centre
cross clear out. he turned upon his heel
and with pleasant nod to hinch, started
to walk OF. The rufFian shouted hoarsely
after him
j thought you were id coward -
You've made two good shots by accident,
and now you sneak OFF to brag that you've
beat me. Come back, siI You can't
shoot before muzzlo half as true !!
Jack walked on without noticing this
mortal insult and challenge, while Iiinch
laughed taunilngly long and loud, ,-jeeriag
with exulting bitterness, as long as ho
could make himself heard, as "a flash in
the pan'--'a dunghil cock, who had spread
his white feathers while the men who had
been surprised into a profound respect for
Long, anG were now still more aslonished
at what they considered his backing out,
joined GENEROUSLY in hooting his retreat.
The fools! They made fatal mis-
take, in supposing he left the insult unrc-
sented from any fear for himself. Jack
Long had young and pretty wife at home,
and his love for her was stronger than his
resentment for his own indigni.y. His
passions wore slow, and had never been
fully roused-none of them at least but
his love, and that presented her instantly,
forlorn and deserted, with her little ones,
in this wild country, should he throw
away his Ii(o with such desperate odds; and
seeino the turn the affair was likely 10 take