Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1851-02-05
The Ixentuckian in Malta.

A gentleman attached TO Old Ironsides, during
her last cruise, has permitted to dip into his jour
nal, which is as rich as Calhoun's gold mine. The
following is particularly fine:
We passed three weeks in Malta, waiting for de-
spatches. Various plans were devised to kill lime,
and never did it pass so pleasantly away. Fishing,
rowing, dinners, wine suppers ETC., formed our prn-
clpa amusement and as the harbor was filed with
vessels of all nations, interchange of courteses
was kept up until our anchor weighed and
Old Ironsides again before the breeze.
AT one of the entertainments given on Shore BY
the officers Of British frigate the conversation
turned upon ihe- shooting, which led to an animated
discussion, in which our officers took part
Il have often heard said the commander of the
Thunderer, that you have some fellows in your
country called Kentuckans, who are reckoned great
shots with the rifle
'Yes, sir replied Lieut.. N, the fame is
great in this line, which is easily accounted for As
soon they are able to shoulder rifle, they COM
mence practicng, and in course of time become
excellent marksmen'
They may be very clever, but believe we have
better shots on board our vessel
Il do not belong to that section of the country,
observed Lieut.. N, sand have had but little
practice with the rife; but if mistake not, we have
kentucklan in company, who will stand up for his
native State
what say you, then, gentlemen, to shooting
match tomorrow morning?'
Agreed, with all our hearts, said the YAM
KEGS
The next morning the party met in beautiful
grove, and placed their target seventy-fve yards
distant. The English rifle is different from the
American, the barrel shorter, and the stock heavier
Six picked men from the Thunderer were on the
ground, all of whom fired. No one, however, cut
the paper, the size Of dollar, although several of
the balls were close to it.
The shots were considered excellent by the Eng
lsh and French officers present land the natives were
gr atty asonished at the proficiency of the rAemen
The comm n1er of the Thunderer, turning to the
purser, said, with smile,
What do you think of that; take it you will
find it difficult to come up to it,
You may consider i. so but conside, it no
shooting at all = said the Kentuckian.
Vous nonter Le haut cheual,' said French Of
6cer.
.Je Uous montria, said the Kentuckian.
Fire away, said the Englishman.
'Pll bet wine supper for all hands, said the
Kentuckan, that niakegthree shots, every one of
which will be better than any yet made, and each
succeeding one better than the first
IN take it,, said the Engishman, smiling.
The Kentuckian slowly raised a rifle he brought
from home and fired. The paper was cut The
secohu one was better than the flrs, and the third
boared the centre Nothing could depict the sur
prise of all present; the Engshman, acknowledged
the corn, and said he was satisfied The Kentuck
ian enjoyed hearty laugh. declaring it was nothing
to what he could do; that he would be ashamed Of
such firing in old Kentuck Rolling quid from one
quarter OF his capacious receiver to another he
continued
must have another shot to show you what can
be done with rifle, and to convince my French
friend that am not boasting'
The whole party stood silent, in a row. and the
kentucklan retreated about forty yards, making the
distance from the tree to where he stood near one
hundred and twenty yards Ordering paper of the
same size as the other to be put in the same Mace
he reloaded, drew his brimmed beaver over h;s
eyes, and after taking deliberate aim, blozed
away. f
That was rather too low he said. the hall il
about the eighth of an inch below the paner the
next time I'll bring it, fNrV'
On examination, the ball was found to he nrecsa.
~ where he said it was, which increased the aston
ishment the remarkable shot had produced on all
present, with the exception of the Yankees who
were used 10 it,
This lick will bring the persimmon., said tho
Kentuckian, as he raised his piece high nm and Grad
ually lowered it and fired. The paper fa from ,ho
tree, the ball driving home the nail that sunnorad i;
Language cannot describe the looks Of the fnreon.
ers, and particularly the natives, who croy9ad
around the Kentuckian in numbers. That n;gh,
the wlnefowed free at the 'Old Admiral,s cor .
more joyous party never met at Malta.
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