Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-05-20
THE STORY TELLER.
-l From the New England Farmer. --
The Hunters of the Morgenai.
A Il A l. E OF ACT.
BY GIDDINGs H. BALLoU.
CHAPTER |.
BY GIDDINGs H. BALLOT

dozen miles below the present town of Merri
vert, where the river making semi-circula
sweep, leaves level verdant platform, il
front of the high bluff which skirts the river
1t is but a short time since the neighborng re
gion was an almost unsettled wilderness an,
though the town or village of Merrivert, con
tanning near score Of buildings, including ;
store and blacksmith's shop, now add impor
tance TO the vicinity, yet we can hardly say tha
the region round about has been remarkable fo
It's rapid growth of population.
AT the moment when our story opens, there
stood near the river bound of the area Just indi
Gated group Of athletic woodmen, who, will
a party of onlookers, male and female, had
gathered from some distance to participate in
the pastime of rife-shooting. There was
some diversity in the appearance of the several
actors; for in the wild west, even more than
elsewhere in the vast fields which claim for
their own the insignia of the stars and stripes,
there is to be found diverse mixture of blood
and character.
A single glance would have indicated TO a
strangers eye the nature of the scene before
him; for in the concentrated interest of the
whole asscmblage, his glance would have been
quickly directed to the stake planted at an hun
dred yards distance, near the top of which was
painted the little white circle which was TO be
the aim of The hardy hunters. They had gath
cred there for holiday of rivalry in marks
manship; and lucky was the man who might
win the silver mounted pistols, and the no less
coveted wreath, which the pretty Anime was 10
bestow upon the victor. But although there
were several competitors, the general feeling
hxeo upon two OF the candidates as being most
likely to bear away the prize These were
youth called Paul Willston, and a strong limb
ed half-breed, who went by the name of Pierre
Boiteux. These two men were more nearly
matched in weapon skill than in character of
feature; for while the former was a frank
hearty, bright countenanced youth, the latter
was person of dark complexion, and heavy
eyebrows, which gave somewhat of an un-
pleasant expression t. face otherwise rather
Handsomely a ....
The fair qneen of the sports whose hand was
TO bestow the need of victory, sat upon little
rustic stage which rose in the midst of the
spectators, and Amines smiling eyes and rosy
cheek were quite as often the object of youth
full attention, as was the aim of the marksman S
rife. The contest was already commenced,
and the more expert of the hunters stood
little aloof, watching the success of their less
skilful companions. A young fellow was just
target. ..
Struck the edge of the centre-Paint,' was
shouted from the distance.
Well done jack said burly hunter, sa-
luting his friend with a rude clap on the back.
Pretty well done for a youngster Of your
years. Keep on, and it can't be long before
you will be able 10 come up to the scratch with
the hest of en-
One by one the hunters stepped forth, and
discharged their rifles with various success, till
at last there remained only Wiliston and Pierre
Boiteux. These, by general understanding,
had reserved themselves till the last as being
the best shots of the company.
'Come, Pierre said one of the crowd, you
are the Oldest of the two, let us have speci-
men of your workmanship
Pierre stepped forward, lifted his rifle, and
brought its muzzle slowly down, and when
it had attained the proper level, instantly
fired.
Inside of the paint, though not exactly il
the middle .f -...-.. .-e .
A murmer of applause ran through the littl
assembly.
Paul must do well TO beat that,' said an oil
hunter, the father of pretty Anime Campbell
Il know of but one man who could safely sa
leagues from hence. But l can't tell Paul
trump, and he won't be far out O. the way
that's sartin'.' t .. . M
The words were hardly out Of his mouth bs
fore the crack of Wiliston's rifle was re-echoe
from the blnff.
Right through the centre of the paint y
A simultaneous shout rang out from tn
crowd. A flush oyerspread the young victor
face as he suddenly looked toward Anime, VII
in turn blushed, as her eyes met those of Wi
liston. The latter, instinctively averting h
glance, encountered the regard of Pierre Bo
teux, who with lowering brows and cou
tenance of sullen modification, had fixed h
attention upon the movement of his fortuna
companion. ras,s., t tr
Come, Pierre, said the latter, don't
disheartened at my luck. We are to ha
one more shot shall beat you if | can :
but | very well know that you carry go
riae.' baa .hs.., ~ s'l,-af s.i-,s s.,
The halfbreed cast about him hurried loo
and once more brought his rife to a level.
was evident that he took more than usu
paias !; he fred again, and as the smoke
his piece passed away again came the disia
cry, .;-s7 4. IN. ..,.i-r,. .,--ys-t,
.s Cut the, edge of Paul's shot, , X.
Again was heard the murmur of approbatio
though Pierre himself seemed gloomy and
satisfied.