Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1861-09-26


we use smooth bores," suggested the Off
GER.
Wall, captin, if yeou don't calkilate to
go in tew kill, I'm not your man. If yeou
dew, you'd better take me and my bar kill
err
"Oh, its impossible that you should ap-
pear in our ranks with a dark barreled
weapon-our muskets are all bright bar
relied. You must leave that weapon be-
hind"
'Oan't dew it. captin. Where the bar
killer goes, there go. Never go nowhere
without it. Yeou see its sure thing"
II have no evidence of it beyond your
word" said the lieutenant, beginning to be
interested in the somewhat uncouth indi-
vidual. but I'll put your shooting skill
to the test, and if you can make three as
good shots as three sharp shooters IN my
corps, I'll engage TO enlist you, bear killer
and all"
e Give US yer fist on that, Mister Officer"
returned the raw recruit, extending his
rough, tan Drowned, and freck led hand
If you've got three men in your corps that
hin outshewt Seth Stark, I'll goe hum agin,
and help dad kerry on the farm"
The match was forthwith got up, and
three of the privates of the Ethan Allen
Rangers were selected for the trial. Each
of them were famed as sharp shooters, and
particularly well skilled in the use of the
rife.
A target, representing an Indian chief,
was placed at one hundred rods distant at
the appointed time, the three already re-
cruted rangers and Seth Stark took their
positions in front of the company of rangers
to witness the apparently unequal contest.
Two men were detailed to stand within six
rods on either size of the painted Indian, to
make record of each successive shot, and
before they left the ranks, their comrades
made many good natured but slightly sa-
tirical remarks at the expense of the cross
eyel volunteer.
g Bill Barton, be keerful where YOU s and
when that chap blazes away sal la ranger
to one of the target markers the safest
p ace viii be behind it."
Better get under the bank, Bill, there's
no calculating where the bullets may STRIKE"
said another.
81 think the only sure place is in the
rear of the breech," added third
Almost every one of the corps volunteered
jocose opinion in reference to the crooked
eyed, crooked formed, and otherwise uncouh
looking backwoodsman, some of which
reached the ear Of Seth, who, suddenly fac
ing the company, which were standing at
4 ease, and pricking up his ears, said,
q Perhaps as haow some on We wud like
to bet small sum on them 'ere three sharp
shewters," said Seth, pulling out of his ca
racious looking pocket greasy locking
violet, which seemed rather plethoric of
bank bills, considering the coarse, seedy
gear Of the confident rAeman. ..I'l lay we
anything from a sheet O gingerbread to
tew dollar bill that I'll take the consait out
O. you or your sharp shooters at rife shewt-
deown and drag cont fight
"l'll bet yeu dollar you don't hit the
board once out of three times" said one of
the Rangers.
Done III take that ere bet, and doub-
le the stakes" replied Seth, drawing forth a
one dollat note, and placing it in the hands
of the orderly sergeant, while the Ranger did
likewise.
'sI'll go you five :hat all you will be
beaten at every round" said another Ran
ger.
plank your suet skin, said Seth.
"I'll lay you five that you don't put a
single shot within the outer circle of the
bulls eye,' offered third.
sWal, I don't mind taking that ere bet
tew, replied Seth, producing the money.
.'rll go you fifty cents you don't hit the
bulls eye once" said more cautious men,
Der of the Ethan Allen corps.
Plank your money, gentlemen-rm
good for dozen or two more jest sich wa
gers-hev 'em all writ down, Mister Sar-
geant, so there can't be no mistake''
Seth's invitation was responded to by
nearly half the members of the whole COM
pany, and on figuring up the aggregate of
all the stakes, it amounted to nearly two
hundred dollars, but at each successive wa
ger the chances for his winning were made
much smaller, as the last one that he had
offered him required him to hit the bull s
eye twice out of the three rounds. and to
beat his three antagonists.
"Naow, gentlemen said Seth, "I Jest
wanter make one more bet. I'll lay ten
dorlers that I'll hit the bulls eye three
times, pervidin' that the winner shall 90
over to the tavern and spend the hull stakes
in treatin' the company"
ell take that wager" said the COM
mander of the Rangers, stepping forward
and depositing the stakes, 'sand if you win,
shall not only cheerfully disburse it IN the
manner you suggest, but receive you into
the corps, and furnish you with uniform
free of expense.
" Good on your head, captin - answered
Seth, land eff don't win I'll be raound
here to morrer and stand treat agn."
The three sharp shooters suggested the