Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-07-11

"Then l add $4,000 to ny stake"
aAgreed; but | have no the title deeds
here"
"Pen, ink and paper carsuppiy them
Writing materials wers brought, and
the Prince engaged in wrting the trans
fer to Sir james, if he were the winner,
the title of his domain uoon the Volga-
The bet was to be decited by ten shots.
They drew lots for the fist fire, and the
Prince won and took Misplace.
About seventy feet before him were
placed in a circular line, i've small cages,
twelve feet apart, each containing pi-
geon. Boards were attachedto the trap
doors which closed the cages, and were
sufficiently long to reach the spot where
the marksman stood, which was called the
post.
These cords, by the rule of the game,
were to be placed in the hands of the ad.
verse party, who always stood behind the
marksman, and, while the latter had his
eye intently fixed upon the cords his
antagonist was permitted to agitate Them,
and to feign to pull before doing so-thus
it was impossible to foresee on which
side the shot was to be directed-yet it
was necessary to aim quickly for the
bird, from its love of Liberty, departed
instantly, and with an energetic wing
You might have heard a pin fall upon
the turf when Rally and the Prince had
taken their position, and the signal was
given. The cords were agitated, and
door fell on the left. The Prince turned
his weapon in that direction, and fired.
"Down ~ cried, distinctly, the voice of
the official.
The same stiffness prevailed when it
was Sir James turn to fire. The trap
fell. The shot followed instantly.
"Down!" exclaimed the voice again.
"Did you say, Prince, that this estate
borders on the Volga?" ?"
"From the balcony of the house you
can see the course of the river!"
An explosion was heard.
"Down" said the same voice.
"There are magnificent plantations of
young trees, grouped with infinite art
delicious fruits, fine peaches y
"That is my favorite fruit"
down.
The strife continued, WIN success on
both sides, till the sixth shot, when Rally
failed.
missed" cried the crier.
/ At the eighth trial the Prince having
failed and Rally succeeded, they were
again equal, and the two sportsmen took
a moment for repose.
/ The Prince took his place, fired, and
missed, Rally was more fortunate. The
bet was approaching its solution.
! What passed then in the souls of the
Prince and Sir James? 1t was mys
terry beyond human intuition. To some
the approach of an important event il
announced by low inward voices, to 9th
ers presentiments seem mere follies anC
chimeras. But it was remarked that
when the Prince took his carbine again
it was without a word, without display
without the naughty look which was nat
ural to him.
He fired. Tne bird, which had fowl
in a straight line, suddenly turned.
"Wounded," said some.
"Dead p' said others.
"No, no !" cried several voices.
Every eye was fixed upon it, but j
mounted, its flight became stronger, an
it disappeared, while Rally calmly whis
tied ''God save the Kingr'
n Rally having killed the ninth bird, tn
: bet was decided by single shot, for th
2 Prince failed again.
The two adversrries were superb 8
this moment, each in his fashion-th
. Prince, by the courage which raised biz
above his loss, and Rally, by the dec
concentrated Joy which he felt in thinl
. ing of the serious consequences of his SUI
: cess. They extended their hands to eac
other, and separated, the best friends
,s the world. 1t was but an incident +,
sportmens life, which might have its coul
,e terport tomorrow
Fifteen days passed. The act of ce
sion, first m adeo out in the name of Rail-
n then transferred to that of Feodorwii
:, was fully authenticated, and Sir jam
= quilted Vienna.
He attempted TO restore the million
l. roubles which was entrusted TO him, n
: wishing to receive a price for an actit
whose only merit, he said was success
but he could not resist the entreaty Of {
ransorned serf. Feodorwitz forced hi