Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-21


preparing to fire he bent his steps in that
direction, determined to see for himself
what they called good shot,
He came to the place swinging his arms,
and with nonchalant air-and slow and
heavy strides introduced himself into The
midst of them at the moment when their
enthusiasm, heated by whskey, burst forth
into loud shouts of admiration at the glorl-
Gus shot that Hinch had fired. Hinch ac-
cordny to custom cursed and swore by the
boards of those who surrounded him, ral-
lied them for their want of SKILL and defied
them TO exhibit as much of it as he had
done.
On perceiving Jack he unlocked the tar
get, and with coarse laugh that sounded
like the grating of locked wheel, he turn
ed bis face insolently to him.
"Ah! Jack Long-Legs They say you
can shoot Examine that shot. Look at
it more particularly, will you? Could you
do as much :"
Jack drew back step, and having look
ed at the mark, drily replied
Bah the cross is not neatly carried a.
way. should'n believe it was anything
very wonderful 10 hiti more precisely than
that"
"You would'n believe it would be doing
anything very wonderful in truth?' roared
Hlnch, furious at the coolness OF jack
"Ah well you are going to attempt IT. Is
that it! | would love to see you at the
work You must shoot | wish it Wen
see what sort of boast you make
"Oh Oh !" said Jack, with the greatest
calmness; 'if It is necessary. 1t must be
sol" Hook up the target" said he to the
by.standers. And if you stand by to see
my ball pass through all the holes you
make, here air to satisfy you" He then
stepped back the prescribed distance of for
ty PAGES. AT the moment the marksman
returned the target to its place, he turned
himself round and had slowly raised his
long carbine from off his shoulder. Then
without scarcely giving himself time to ad-
Just it, he relaxed the trigger.
THAT is one of my turns" said he, to
Hinch who was standing near him, at the
same time re-loading his carbine. That
IS because take aim at the eye of all kinds
of game | never shoot them otherwise
It's habit | have" )"
AT that instant, the men who stood near
the mark and who had rushed in front OF IT.,
curious to know the result, exclaimed,
whilst one of them held the target alott:-
"He has succeeded His ball is the larg-
est it has passed through the hole yours
made and has enlarged it."
Hnch grew pale. He darted forward
snatched the target from the hand OF the
MISUNDERSTANDING it minuteIy, and In
husky voice cried out: =.
1T was chance He will not do it
twice He dare not attempt it again.
"Oh I" SAID Jack, winking his eye at the
others; "if you wish to bet your ears "a
gainst mine, Pm your man. Friends hx
us a new target below that, with pretty
little cross in the middle, and I'll show the
Captain what's called good shot!'
Saving this he laughed with such good
humor that the others could not refrain from
laughing with HIM. -,
Hinch, who was loading his gun, said
nolhlns, but bit his lips and darted around
him such furious looks as made those who
knew him shudder. His companions, not
knowing in reality whether Jacks manner
indicated contempt, or the most ingenious
simplicity, contemplated The scene with the
greatest curiosity and impatiently waited TO
see the result.
The new target was ready, and Hlnch
advanced proudly to fire his shot Alter
taking sight for some time, he fired. His
men pressed around the target and imme
dlately proclaimed that it was a master
stroke. They spoke truly. The ball had
carried away the two arms OF the cross
without the centre. Jack with the same IN
expicable GOODNESS which characterized all
his conduct. shook his head, took his place
without the least hesitation, and observed: {:
That's not it yet, my friend: no that's
not vet what should be called good shot"
Then lowering his long carbine with the
same unconcern as at first, he fired before
any one expected it. Hinch's companions
rushed to see it, and announced that the
centre of the cross had been carried away
with the greatest precision. But to the
great astoniShment of each. Jack was some
distance off directing his steps toward the
store, without even waiting to be informed
of the result of his fire.
"Ah! thought YOU were coward"
cried Hinch. "Look at the sneaklng fel-
low Come back come back !! repeated
he. roaring with fury. "You cant shoot as
we'll in the face OF man!'
Jack continued his march without turn
inc his head. while the regulator, whom rage
had almost thrown into CONFUSION, cried af-
ter him, "Ah! All you see the coward
runs to hide himself behind his wife's pet
ticoat!"
This wounding sarcasm sounded long
while in Jacks ears. The companions oi
Hinch, who at first had been extremely sur
prised at the intrepidity with which Jack
had dared to brave this formidable lion. and
had experienced that instructive admiration.
with which such acts always inspire such
men, now joined in the raillerles OF Hlnch'
in view Of what appeared to them so EVIL
dent backing out.
They believed 1t was cowardice but
sacred feeling which they could not under
stand maintained in terrible calmnesS heart
full Of passion. If they could only have
seen how that large and massive face paIed,
and contracted with pride which internally
asitated him and srove for The mastery, at
the time when these taunts, so hard for
free hunter to bear, sounded in his ears. they
would have taken care not molest any long
-r the slumbers of such burning energy.
"The strong man had really never been
awakened He was conscious of only one
passion, which comprehended and govern
ed all others. The images Of his wife and
children rose above the increasing tumult
of his large breast He saw them alone,
without the means of support and without