Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-03-22

n ed there, it wasthe central resort of the
Regulators. Jack found them collected
for a great shooting match, in preparation
for which they we're getting as drunk as
possible to steady their nerves. Hinch,
the Regulator captain, had always been
j the hero of such occasions-for, in addt-
ltion to his being a first rate shot, it was
known that it would be a dangerous cx-
ercise of skill for any man to beat him,
for he was a-furious, vindictiye bully, and
would not fail to make personal affair OF
it with any one who would mortify his
VANITY by carrying off the prise from him.
In addition, the band of scoundrelsn he
commanded was entirely at his service in
any extreme, SO that they made teartul
odds for single man to contend with
4 Everybody elsein the county was aware
of this state of things but Jack Long, and
Rhe either did not know or did not care.
After they had fred several rounds, he
went lounging listlessly into the crowd
which had gathered around the target
exclaiming in alteration over the last bril-
liant shot of Hiuch, which was trIumi
phantly the best. The bully was, as
tusual, clustering svehemently, tauntinnSS
every one around him, and when he saw
Jack looking very coolly at the famous
shot with no grain of that deferentlal ad-
miration inI his expression which was
demanded, he, snatehed u2 the board and
thrust i. inspldipglyy close tO>his face
!" IL Here You Jack Long shanks-
look at that. Take good look Can
you beat it 20
Jack drew back with quiet laugh and
said, good humoredly- '
"PshawI You don't .brag on such
shooting as that, do you %
Brag ont! I'd like to see such a
moon-eyod chap as you beat it p
= | don't know as I'd be very proud to
beat such bunglin' work rs that"
''You don't! don't you ~ yelled the fell
low, now fairly in rage at Jacks cool
ness. You'll try it won't you? You
must try it. You shall try it, by heaven!
Wen see what sort of swell you are p
"Oh, weil," said Jack, interrupting
him as he was proceeding to rave for
quality-''iust set up your board, it You
want to see me put ball through the We
ry hole you made
Perfectly astonished at this rash beard.
ing of the Iion-for it was difficult to tell
whether contempt or simplicity dictated
Jacks manner-thc man set up the board,
while he walked back to the stand, and
carelessly swinging the heavy rifle from
his shoulder, fred seemingly as quick as
tLonoht. ..It,, a trick Of mine. '=--aia
| he moving towards the mark as he low
cred his gun 81 caughtit from shooting
yarmints in the eyes;-always takes 'em
there. It's a notion I've got-it's my
fun" They all ran eagerly to the tar
get, and sure enough his ball, which was
larger than Hinch's, had passed through
the same hole, widening it
""He's a humbug it's all accident, he
can't do that again !" shouted the ruftian,
turning pale, till his lips looked blue as
the board was held up, " I'll bet the ears
of buffalo calf against his that he can't
do it again.
T" 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 him.
I" Hinch glared around with fierce
chatfed look before which those who knew
him best, quailed, and with compressed
Hips silently loaded his gun. A new tar
get was put up, at which, after long
and careful aim. he fred. The shot was
fine one. The edge of the ball had
I Just passed the centre. Jack, after look
ing att, quietly remarked
"Plumbing out the centre is the fashion;
I.I'Il show YOU a kink or two, Captain
Hinch about the clear thing in shoot
ing. Give us another board there, my
boys" ---
Aother board was set u p, and after
throwing out his gun on level in the
same rapid careless style as before, he f.
red, and when the eager crowd around
the target announced that he, had driven
the centre cross clear out, he turned upon
his heel, and with pleasant nod to Hinch,
started to walk off. The ruffian shouted
hoarsely after him q:
''I thought you were ID coward!
You have made two good shots by acci-
dent, and now you sneak off to brag that
you beat me- Come back, sir! You
can't shoot before a muzz!e half as true. -
Jack walked on, without noticing this
mortal insult and challenge. while Hinch
laughed tauntingly, long and loud--jeer-
] ing with exulting bitterness, as long as
he could make himself heard, as e flash
in the pam dung hill cock. who had
{ spread his white feather" while the men
i'who had been surprised into profound
respect for Long, were now still more asto
nished at what they considered his " back
, ing out" joined clamorously in hooting
his retreat.
The fools They made fatal mistake
in supposing he left the insult uuresented
from any fear for himself Jack Long
had young wife at home, and his love
for her was stronger than resentment for
his own indignity. His passions were