The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-06-30
RAVENNA. SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 1856

smiths shop and one or two other huts, con-
stituted the 'Fcountry town." and as powder
and liquor were only to be obtained there,
it was the central resort of the Regulators.
Jack found them all collected for great
shooting match, in preparation for which
they were getting drunk as fast as possible
to steady their nerve. Hinch, the Regula.
tor captain, had always been the hero ofsuch
occasions; for in addition to being a first
rate shot, it was known that it would be o
dangerous exertion of skill for any man to
beat him-for he was furious and vindic.
tive bully, and would not fail to make per.
sonal affair Of it with any one who should
mortify his vanity by carrying off heprize
from him. In addition, the band of scoun'
drels he commanded were entirely at hi;
service in any extreme, so that theymade feal
fal odds for single man to contend with
Everybody else in the county was aware
of this state of things but Jack Long, and
he didn't know or didn't care. After they
had fired several rounds, he went lounging
listessly into the crowd, which gathered a.
round the target, exclaiming in admiration
over the last brilliant shot of Hinch, which
was triumphantly the best. The bully was
as usually clustering vehemently, taunting
every one about him, and when he saw Jack
looking very coolly at the famous shot, with
no grain of that deferential admiration in
his expression which was demanded, he
snatched up the board, and thrusting it in
sultirgly close to his face roored out:
"Here! You Jack Long Shanks, look
at that! Take good look! Can you beat
it?" Jack drew back with a quiet laugh,
and said good humoredy:
"Pshaw! You don't brag on such shoot
in as that, do you?"
'''Brug omit! I'd like to sec such moon
eyed chap syou beat it!'
81 don't know as I'd be very proud to beat
such bungling work as that"
"You don't, don't you!" yelled the fell
low now fairly in rage at Jacks coolness.
"You'll try it, by Cd. Well see
what sort of swell you are!'
:Oh, Welt" said Jack interrupting him
him as he was proceeding to rave for guam
tity. "Just put up your board if you want
to see me put ball through every hole yoo
can make!"
Perfectly astonishcd at this rash boarding
of the lion--for il was difficult to tell wheth-
er contempt or simplicity dictated Jacks
manner--the men set up the board, while
he walked back to the stand, and careless
lv swinging his heavy rifle from his shoul-
der, fired seemingly as quick as thought. "Its
a trick Of mine," said he, moving towards
the mark, as he lowered his gun; 81 caught
it from shooting varments in the eyes,
always takes 'em there. It's notion I've
got--its my gum" They all ran eagerly 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!" shouted the ruf1ian
turning pale, till his lips looked blue, as the
board was held up. "i'll bet the ears of q
buffalo calf against his, that he can't do il
again!"
"If you mean by that, to bet your own
ears against mine, II taxa you up!' said
Jack laughing, while the men could not re
sist joining him. Hineh glared around him
with q fierce chafed look, before which
those who knew him best, quailed, and
with compressed lips silently loaded his
gun. A new target was put up, at which,
after long and careful aim, he fired. The
shot was fine one. The edge of the bal
| had Just broke the centre. Jack, after look
ing at it, quietly remarked:
"Plumbing the centre is my fashion; III
show you kink or two, Captain Hinch
about the clear thing in shootn.' Give III
another board there, boys"
Another was set up, and after THROWN!
out his gun on the level, in the same rapid
careless style as before, he fired; ant
when the eager crowd around the targe
announced that he had driven the centr'
cross clear out, he turned upon heel, ant
with a pleasant nod to Hinch, started II
walk off. The ruffian shouted hoarsely af
ter him:
81 thought you were id coward
You've nude two good shots by accident
and now you sneak off to brag that you'V'
beat me. Come back, sir! You can
shoot before muzzle half as true!"
Il Jack walked on without noticing thi
mortal insult and challenge, while Hinc
laughed tauntingly long and loud---jeerin
with exulting bitterness, as long as he coul
make himselfheard; as "flash in the pan,
-."a dunghill cock, who had spread hi
/ white feather,'-while the men, who ha
been surprised into profound respect fc
Long, and were now still more astonishe
at what they considered mis- "backing out,
: joined clamorously in hooting his retreat
The fools! They made fatal mistake
in supposing he left the insult unresente
from any fear for himself. Jack Long ha
young and very pretty wife at home, an
his love for her was stronger than his re
: sentiment for his own itidignity. His pasi
. ions we're slow; and never been fully rou'
| Il &c fhar M oof hI,t