The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-02-01

" into the crowd which had gathered
around the target, exclaiming in admi-
ration over the last brilliant shot o.
Hinch, which was triumphantly the
best. The bully was as usual buster
| ling vehemently, taunting every one
around him, and when be saw Jack
looking very cody at the famous shot,
with no grain of that deferential ad.
miration in his expression which was
demanded, he snatched up the board
and, thrusting it insultingly close. to
his face, roared out -
Here you Jack Long Shanks-
look at that Take good look Car
you beat it :"
Jack drew back with quiet laugh
and said good humoredly -
"Psha You don't brag on such
shootin' as that, do you 2"
"Brag on it I'd like to see such
a moon-eyed chap as you beat it +"
II don't know as I'd be very proud
to beat such bunglin' work as that"
You don't! don't you +" yelled
the fellow, now fairly in rage at Jacks
coalness. You'll try it, won't you ?
|
You must try it ! You shall try it
Well see what sort of swell you are .
ooh, well |! !" said Jack, interrupting
him as he was proceeding to rave for
quantity /; Just set up your board,
if you want to see me put ball thro'
every hole you can make ("
Perfectly astounded at this rash
boarding of the lion-for it was difficult
to tell whether contempt or simplicity
dictated Jacks manper-the men set
up the board, while he walked back to
the stand, and, carelessly swinging his
heavy rifle from his shoulder, fired seem
ingly as quick as thought. +" It's a
trick of mine," said he, moving to-
wards the mark, as he lowered his
gun; caught it from shootin' var
ments in the eyes-always takes 'em
there. It's notion I've got-it's my
gun They all ran eagerly to the
target. and sure enough his ball, which
was larger than Hinch's, had passed
through the same hole, widening it.
He's humbug It's all accident !
He can't do that again ! (" shouted the
ruffian, turning pale, till his lips look
ed blue, as the board was held up.
I'll bet the ears of buffalo calf
against his that he can't do it again y
If you mean by that to bet your
own ears against mine, I'll take you
up 7" said Jack, laughing, while the
men could not resist joining him.
Hinch glared around him with fierce
chafed look, before which those who
knew him best quailed, and with com
pressed lips silently Loaded his gun. A
new target was put up, at which, af-
ter long and careful aim, he fired. The
shot was fine one. The edge of the
ball had just broke the centre. Jack,
after looking at it, quietly remarked =
Plumbing out the centre is my
fashion Til show you kink or two,
Captain Hinch, about the clear thing
in shootin'. Give us another board
there, boys !! f"
Another was set up, and after throw
ing out his gun on the level, in the
same rapid, careless style as before, he
fired and, when the eager crowd
around the target announced that he
had driven the centre cross clear ont,
he turned upon his heel, and, with a
pleasant nod to Hinch, started to walk
off. The ruffian shouted hoarsely af-
ter him =
thought you were a coward !!
You've made two good shots by acct
dent, and now you sneak off to brag
that you've beat me, Come back. sir +!
You can't shoot before muzzle half
as true +"
Jack walked on without noticing
this mortal insult and challenge, while
Hinch laughed tauntingly long and loud
-jeering him with exulting bitterness
as long as he could make himself heard
as fash in the pan "-"a dunghill
cock, who had spread his white feath-
err" while the men, who had been sur
prised into a profound respect for
Long, and were now still more aston
ished at what they considered his
backing out" joined DANGEROUSLY in
hooting his retreat.
The fools They made fatal mis-
take in supposing he left the insult I'M
resented from any fear for himself -
Jack Long had ayonng and very pref
ty wife at home, and his love for her
was stronger than his resentment for
his own indignity His passions were
slow, and had never been fully reused
none of them at least but his love,
and that presented her instantly, for
lo1n and deserted, with her little ones,
in this wild country, should he throw
away his life with such desperate odds !;
and, seeing the turn the affair was
likely to take, he had prudently deter