The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1858-02-24

Involuntarily, Drake stopped his
team. He glanced furtively around,
then with queer smile the old hunter
took up his rifle from the bottom of the
wagon, and raising it to his shoulder.
drew sight on the Coils horse.
Beautiful % muttered Drake, low
ering his rifle with the air of man re-
sisting powerful temptation. Il could
drop old Roam SO easy p
"Shoot!" suggested Sam Barston,
who loved fun in any shape.
"No, no, 'twou'dn't do," said the old
hunter, glanciny cautiously around him
again.
Il won't tell" said Sam.
"Wall, / wont shoot :his time, any
way, tell or no tell. The horse is too
nigh. If he was fifty rods off instead
of twelve, so there'd be bare possibil-
ity of mistaking him for deer, I'd let
fly. AS it is. I'd give the Col. FIVE dol
lars for a shot"
Atthat moment the Col. himself step
ped from behind a big oak, not half a
dozen PAGES distant, and stood before
Mr.. Drake.
"Well. why don't you shoot?"
The old man stammered out some
words in confusion:
"That's you, Colonele IL was
tempted to, I declare! And as l said,
III give you W for one pull"
"Say an X and it's bargain o.
Drake felt of his rifle, and looked at
old Roam.
GLOW much is the horse wuth - he
muttered in Sans ear.
about fifty dollars"
"Gad. Colonel. I'll do it. Here's
your X"
The Col. took and pocketed the money,
mut,ering-"Hanged if l thought you'd
take me up"
With high gles the old hunter put a
fresh cap on his rifle, stood up in his
wagon, and drew close sight at old
Roam. Sam Barston chuckled. The
Col. put his hands before his face and
chuckled too. ....
Crack y went the rife. The hun
ter tore out a horrid oath, which l will
not repeat. Sam was astonished. The
Colonel laughed. OLD Roam never
stirred.
Drake stared at his rifle with face
as black rs O.hellc's.
Whats the matter with you. hey I?
Fust time You ever sarved me such a
trick, swan
And Drake loaded the piece with great
ind igna,ion and wrath.
People said you'd lost your kn.ck
o shooting" observed Col, in a cutting
tone of satire.
''Who said so? It's lie !" thunder
ed Drake. Il can shoot
"A horse at ten rods ha !! ha %
Drake was livid.
"Look here, COL, l can't stand that -
he began.
"Never mind, the horse can" snecred
the Col. ''lll risk you ... ....
Grinding his teeth. Drake produced
another ten dollar pill.
"Here," he growled. "I'm bound to
have another shot, any way"
"Crack away" said the Col. pocket
ing the note. .....
Drake did crack away-wilh deadly
aim, too-bu, the horse cid not mind
the bullet in the least. To the rage and
unu,terable astonishment Of the hunter,
old Roam looked him right in the face.
as If he rather liked the fun.
Drake" cried Sam. "you'r re
drunk A horse at dozen rods-oh,
my eye!"
Just shut your mouth, or I'll shoot
you y thundered the excited Drake.
"The bullet was hollow, I'll swear.
The man lies that says l can. shoot
Last week l cut off goose's head a,
fifty rods, and l can do it again. Col
you can laugh, but Ill bet now. thirty
dollars. can bring down old Roam Al
one shot"
The wager was readily accepted
The stakts were placed in Sam s hands
Elated with the idea of winning back
his two tens. and making ten inlo the
bargain. Drake carefully selected q
perfect ball, an even buckskin patch,
and loaded the rifle.
1t was now nearly dark. but the old
hunter boasted Of being able to shoot 8
bat on the wing by starlight, and with,
out hesitation he drew clear sight OF
old Roan's head.
A minute later, Drake was driving
through the grove, the most cnrased
the most desperate of men. His rifle
innocen. victim Of ire, lay with broker
stock in the bottom of the wagon. San
Ba'ston was too much frightened tt
laugh Meanwhile the gratilied Colone
was rolling on the ground convulsed
with mirlh. and old Roam was standing
undis.urbed under the trees.
When Drake reached home, his twt
sons discovering his illhumor, and tE,
mutilatcd condition of his rifle stock
fastened to arouse his spirits with new.
which they were sure would make hin
dance with joy.
"Clear out" growled the old man
Il don't want to hear any news; &c
away or | shall knock one of 20,
down!'
But, father, It's such trick playe
off on the Colonel -
"On the Colonel ?" cried the old mar
beginning to be Interested. "Glad
you've played the Colonel trick, let
hear it."