Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1852-05-01
Colonel CriclEley's Horse.
BY PAUL CRYTO.

|
Then some misunderstanding about the boun-
Diary of their respective farms revealed the Ia.
tent flame; and Colonel Crickey, having fol-
lowed a fat buck all one afternoon, and woun-
ded him, came up to him at dark, and found old
Drake and his sons cutting him up. This Incl.
dent added fuel to the fire, and from that time
there was nothing the two families did not do
to annoy each ether. They shot each others
ducks in the river, proposey mistaking them
for wild ones, and then, by way of retaliation,
commenced killing off each others pigs and
| calves.
One evening Mr. Drake the elder was return
| ing home, with his "pocket full of rocks" from
Chicago, whittier he had been to dispose of a
! load Of grain. Sam Bartson was with him on
the wagon, and as they approached the grove
which interviewed between them and the house
of MIR. Drake, he observed to his companion
"What beautiful mark Colonel Crickley's
| old Roam is, over yonder?"
"Hang it," muttered the old man Drake, $50
it is"
The horse was standing under some trees,
about twelve rods from the road. Involuntarily,
Drake stopped his team. He glanced furtively
around, then, with queer smile. the old hum
ter took up his rifle from the bottom of his wag-
on, and, raising it to his shoulder, drew sight
on the Colonel's horse
"Beautiful!" muttered Drake, lowering his
rifle with an air of a man resisting powerful
temptation. 81 could drop old Roam so easy!"
"Shoot, suggested Sam Bartson, who loved
fun in any shape.
"No, no, twouldn't do," said the old hunter,
glancing around him again.
Il wont tell" said Sam.
"Wa won't shoot him this time, any way,
tell or no tell The horse is too nigh. If he
was fifty rods off, instead of twelve, so there'd
be bare possibility of mistaking him for deer.
I'd let fly. AS it is, I'd give the Colonel FIVE
dollars fora shot,"
At that moment the Colonel stepped from
behind big oak, not half dozen PAGES dis
tant and stood before Mr. Drake.
"Well, why don't you shoots"
The old man stammered in some confusion,
"That you Colonels IL was tempted to de-
clare! And as said, I'll give V for the pull"
"Say an X, and it's a bargain!'
Drake felt of his rifle, and looked at old Roam.
'How much is the hoss wuth?" he muttered
in Sans ear.
"Bout fifty.''
"Gad, Colonel, I'll do it! Here's yer 'Xr"
The Colonel pocketed the money, muttering:
'Hanged if thought you'd take me up!"
With high glee the old hunter put fresh
cap on his rifle, stood up in his wagon, and
drew close sight on old Roam. Sam Bartson
chuckled too.
Crack went the rifle. The hunter tore out
horrid oath, which will not repeat. Sam was
astonished. The Colonel laughed. Old Roam
never stirred
Drake stared at his rifle with face as black
as Othello's.
"Whats the matter with you, heys Fus' time
you ever saraed me such trick, | swamp
And Drake loaded his piece with great wrath
and indignation.
"People said you'd lost your knack O. shoot
ing," observed the Colonel, in cutting tone of
satire.
"Who said 500 It's lie!" thundered Drake,
II can shoot"
"a horse at ten rods! ha! ha'
Drake was livid.
"Look here, Colonel, can't stand that!'' he
began
"Never mind, the horse can," sneezed the
Colonel, "I'll risk you."
Grinding his teeth, Drake produced another
ten dollar BILL
"Here!" he growled, am bound to have
another shot, any way
"Crack away" cried the Colonel; pocketing
the note.
Drake did crack away-with deadly aim too
but the horse did not mind the bullet in the
least. To the rage and utter astonishment of
the hunter, old Roam looked him right in the
face, as if he rather liked the fun.
"Drake," cried Sam, "you're drunk! horse at
a dozen rods--oh, my eye!"
'Jus shut your mouth, or I'll shoot you!'
thundered the excited Drake. "The bullet was
hollow, I'll swear. The man lies who says
can't shoot. Last week I cut off goose's
head at fifteen rods, and kin do it again. By
the Lord Harry, Colonel, you can laugh, but
I'll bet thirty dollars can bring down your
old Roam at one shot"
The wager was readily accepted. The stakes |
were placed in SANS hands. Elated with the |
idea of winning back his two tens, and making |
an tx" in the bargain, Drake carefully selected |
a perfect ball and even buckskin patch and |
beaded his rifle.
1t was now nearly dark, but the old hunter
boasted of being able to shoot bat on the
wing by starlight, and without any hesitation,
he drew a sight on old Roan's head.
A minute later, Drake was driving through |
the grove, the most enraged and most despe- |
rate Of men. His rine the innocent victim of |
his ire, lay with broken stock on the bottom of |
The wagon. Sam Bartson was too much fright
ened to laugh. Meanwhile, the Colonel was
rolling on the ground, eonvulsed with laughter,
and old Roam was standing undisturbed under
the trees.
When Drake reached home, his two sons
discovered his ill-humor and the mutlated con-
lition of his rifle stock. and hastened to arouse
his spirits with piece of news which they
were sure would make him dance for Joy.
aClear outr' growled the angry old man. 81
don't want to heer the news; get out of the way,
Or shall knock you down." !
"But father it is just a trick"
"BIast you and your tricks"