The Empire County argus., 1855-07-28

A KENTUcKIAN IN MALTA. Jonathan tells us
rich story about Kentuckian, who was attached
to cold ronsides during her last cruise, that hap
pened while lying at Malta. The following is pc
culiarly fine:
We passed three weeks in Malta waiting for
dispatches. Various plans were devised to kill
time, and never did 1t pass pleasantly away.
Fishing rowing, dinners, wine suppers &C., formed
our principal amusement, and as the harbor was
filled with vessels of all nations an interchange of
courtesies was kept up until our anchor was
weighed and cold Ironsdes' again before the
breeze.
Al one of the entertainments given on shore by
the officers of British frigate, the conversation
turned upon rifle shooting, which led to an anima-
ted discussion, in which our officers took part.
81 have often heard" said the commander of the
Thunderer, 'that you have fellows in your country
called Kentuckians, who are reekoned great shots
with rife"
ayes SIR" replied Lieut. N, their fame is
great in that line, they commence practicing, and
in course of time become excellent marksmen."
"They may be very clever, but believe we have
better shots on board our vessel"
81 do not belong to that section of the country
observed Lieut.. N, and have had but little
practice with the rifle, but if mistake not, we
have Kentuclian in company who will stand UP
for his native State"
''Yes, on all occasions" said cur purser tall,
muscular descendant of one of the first settlers in
the State
''What say you then, gentlemen, to shooting
match tomorrow morning?'
''Agreed with all our hearts," said the Yankees
The next morning the party met in a beautiful
grove, and placed target seventy-fve yards dist
ant The English rifle is different from the Amer
can the barrel being shorter, and the stock heav-
ier Six picked men from the Thundercr were on
the ground, all of whom fired. No one, however,
cut the paper (the size of dollar), although sew
eral of the balls were close to it.
The shots were considered excellent by the Eng
sh and French officers present, and the natives
were greatly astonished by the proficiency of the
ridemen. The commander of the Thunderer turn
ing to the purser with a smile-said:
What do you think of that! take it you will
find it difficult to come up to it,
''You may think so-but consider it no shooting
at all ~ said the Kentuckian.
"VouS monter ie hant cheual,n said tho French
officer.
''.Je uous montrai,' said the Kentuckian
"Fire away" said the Englishman,
''l'll bet wine supper for all hands, said the
kentuckian, ''that make three shots, every one of
which shall be better than any yet made, and each
succeeding shot better than the first"
.I'll take it," said the Englishman smiling.
The Kentuckian slowly raised a rifle he brought
from home and fired. The paper was cut! The
second fire was better than the first and the third
"bored the centre!n
Nothing could depict the wonder and surprise Of
all present; the Englishman acknowledged the
corn" and said he satisfied. The Kentuckian
enjoyed a hearty laugh, declaring it was nothing
to what he could do that he would be ashamed Of
such firing in old Kentuck. Rolling a qud from
quarter of his capacious receiver" to another
he continued:
81 must have another shot, to show you what can
be done with rifle, and to convince my French
friend that am not boastinga
The whole party stood silent in row, and the
Kentuckian 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 the other to be put in the same
place, he reloaded, drew his broad -brmmed beaver
over his eyes, and, after taking deliberate aim,
blazed away.
THAT was rather too low," he said, s'the ball is
about the eighth of an inch below the paper-the
next time I'll bring it,
On examination, the ball was found to be pre-
cisely where he had said it was, which increased
the astOnishment the remarkable shot had produced
on all present, with the exception of the Yankees
who were used to it.
"This lick will bring the persimmon," said the
Kentuckian as he raised his piece high up, and
gradually lowered it and fired. The paper fell
from the tree the ball driving home" the nail
which supported it, Language cannot describe
the looks of the foreigners, and particularly the
natives who crowded around the Kentuckian in
numbers. That night the wine flowed free at the
''Old Admirals," and more joyous party never
met at Malta.
The Attorney General of the United States has
decided that treaty, constitutionally concluded
and ratified, abrogates any State law or Federal
law whether written or unwritten which NAV be