Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-02-06

proprietor q
1t is mere whim, like any other
And one which l am not disposed to
thwart. have something of that value
near Moscow. 1t is on the decliviIy of
a hill, from which you can see admira.
bly, the yet smoking ruins of the holy
city. l have also at two miles from Vo
logda-
Rally shugged his shoulders. st is
TOO cold,' said he.
'Ah ! then 1 have something else
which may suit you, charming little
village near the Volga.'
Here goes for the Volga, then. And
you estimate this property-
AT something more than 200, 900
roubles.'
Then add $4,000 10 my stake
agreed; but 1 have not the title
deeds here
Pen, ink and paper can supply them
Writing materials were brought, and
the Prince engaged in writing to trans
fer to Sir James, if he were the winner,
the title of his domain upon the Volga.
The bet was to be decided by ten
shots. They drew lots for the first fire,
and the Prince won, and took his place.
About seventy feet before him were
placed, in circular line, FIVE small ca
ges, twelve feet apart, each containing
pigeon. Cords were attached 10 the
trap doors which closed the cages, and
were sufficiently long to reach the spot
where the marksmen 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 FORE
see on which side the shot was to be di-
rected; yet it was necessary to aim
quickly, for the bird, from its love of lib
erty, departs instantly, and with an en-
ergetic wing.
You might have heard pin fall upon
the turf when Rally and the Prince had
taken their position, and the signal was
given. The cords were agitated, and a
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 1t
was Sir James'sturn 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 p
From the balcony of the house you
can see the course of the river! =
An explosion was heard.
Down J. said the same voice.
There are magnificent plantations of
young trees. grouped with infinite art
delicious fruits, fine peaches
That's my favorite fruit
Down
The strife continued, with success on
both sides, till the sixth shot, when Rail-
ly failed.
Missed = said the crier.
At the eighth trial. the Prince having
failed and Rally succeeded, they were
again equal, and the sportsman took
moment fol repose.
The Prince again 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 hnman intuition. To some
the approach of an important event is an
nounced by low inward voices, to others
presentiments seem mere follies and
chimeras. But it was remarked that,
when the Prince took his carbine again,
it was without a word, without display,
without the hungry look which was nat
ural TO him.
He fired. The bird, which had flown
in a straight line. suddenly turned.
Wounded ! said some.
Dead = said others.
No, no J cried several voices.
Every eye was fixed upon it; but it
mounted, its fight became stronger, and
it disappeared, while Rally calmly whis-
tied God save the King
Rally having killed The ninth bird, the
bet was decided by single shot, for the
Prince failed again.
The two adversaries were superb at
this moment, each in his fashion the
Prince, by The courage which raised him
above his loss, and Rally by the deep,
Joy which he felt in think
ing of the serious consequences of his
success. They extended their hands TO
each other. and separated the best friends
in the world. 1t was but an incident of
sportsman life, which might have its
to morrow.
Fifteen days passed. The act of ces
sion. first made out in the name of Rail
". then transferred to that of Feodol witz.