Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-12-04

orderly sergeant, while the ranger did like
| wise.
"I'll go you five that you will be beaten at
| every round,'' said another ranger.
"Plank your suet-skIn,'' said Seth.
| "I'll lay five that you don't put single
| shot within the outer circle of the BULBS eye,"
offered a third.
! ssWaall, don't mind taking that bet tew,"
said Seth producing the money.
"1'll go fifty cents you don't hit the BULLS
Ethan Allen corps.
"Plank your money, gen ntleman-Im good
for dozen or tew more just sich wagers-
hev 'em all down, Mister Sergeant, so there
! canst be no mistake.''
| Seth's invitation was responded to by nearly
! halt the members of the company and on fig
| uring up the aggregate of all the stakes, it a.
mounted to nearly two hundred dollars, but at
| each successive wager the chances of his win
ming were made much smaller, as the last one
required him to hit the BULBS eye twice out
! OF three rounds, and to beat the three antago-
nists.
| ..Naow, gentlemen said Seth, 81 just
| want to make one more bet. 1'li lay ten dol
! lars, that I'll hit the bulls eye three times,
| peryidin' that the winner shall go over to the
tavern and spend the stakes in treatin' the
| company
| 'sl'll take that wager,'' said the captain of
the rangers, stepping forward and depositing
disburse in the manner you suggest, but re-
ceiye you in the corps, and furnish you with
uniform free of expense
''Good on your head, Captin, said Seth
ssand if I don't win, I'll be raound tomorrow
and stand treat agin.''
The three sharp-shooters suggested the idea
of having rest for their rifles, as the range
was long, and the slightest variation of the
aim would carry the shot wide of the mark,
but Seth argued against it, and appealed to
the commander.
ssYou see, captin,'' said he, ssit's all very
we'll at a turkey shoot but it won't do in the
woods, when the bears and wolves abeout,
and kinder guess twouldn't do on the battle,
field less every soldier could kerry u niger as
they do at the South, to use as rest for their
shOotin' irons.
This argument prevailed, and he decided
that the shots should be made off hand, and
| that ten seconds should be allowed in taking
aim, after the piece was at the shoulder.
The Indian chief was painted. in gaudy COL
ors, size of life, and the BULLS eye was placed
| on the left side, in the region of the heart,
with three circles drawn around it, and it was
| understood that from the center of the BULBS
eye each shot should be measured. The
sharpshooters and the backwoodsman drew
lots for the first fire, which fell to the former,
who took his position, and in a ready and "a
droit manner opened the contest, and his shot
together with the others were as follows, ac
Ranger No. 1.-Two inches from the outer
circle, grazing the left arm.
Ranger No. Ball struck within one inch
of the inner circle to the right-a fatal shot.
Ranger No. 3.-Put a half moon in the
bulls eye-fatal.
Seth Stark-Shot perforated the center of
the BULBS eye.
There was considerable huzzaing at the re-
suit of the round, especially among the spec
tators, and those OF the rangers who had not
risked any of their funds on the result.
On the second round the three rangers were
scored as having made better shots than be-
fore but no score for the young backwoodsman.
1t was now the better's turn to huzza al
though several Of them had lost by Seth's first
shot.
The third round resulted even better for the
rangers than either of the others and the score
was brought in accordingly but there appear
ing no score for the would be-recruit, the
shouting was terrible, and many rude Jests
were made at Seth's expense.
ssMought you not as well wait till the umpires
have decided, before you larf at a feller !'' e.
jacuIated Seth. s'I've seen many turkey
trial decided agin scorers"
"Why you don't suppose you've hit the tar
get but once 10 asked ranger who had V
staked on the result. ssMebbe ] don't suppose
SO, and mebbe l do,' replied Seth.
"I'lI go you ten to one,' said the confident
soldier.
ssTake my advice and don't you dew it" an
swered Seth.
sOh, no don't dare, eh :? Can't go one a.
gainst ten 7'' calculated the fellow.
ssW aall, ,yeou kin put up as many tens as you
please, and if l can't kiver 'em, why yeou kin
pick up your change agin."
esTry him try him hos only coming the
brag game ?'' said several OF the rangers COM
rades.
ssIll 20 my pile on that said the confident
one. and he forthwith produced sixty dollars,
which Seth covered with only six but then it
must be remembered that odds were terribly
against him inasmuch as the scorcer's report, |
if confirmed, would of course give the stakes
to his antagonist.
The umpires, consisting of an officer of the
company, who had no special interest in the
result, and two civilians. who were experts in
the sports of rifle shooting, forthwith visited
the target and examined the several hits, and
on comparing them with the record of the
scorers it appeared there was no mistake.
ssThat hit in the BULBS sye,'' remarked one
of the civil umpires, sis a magnificent shot,
but how so small slug as that greeny's rifle
carries could make so large orihce as that, Is
quite a mystery to me-
s.I agree with you,'' said the other civilian.
ssIt is remarkable perforation, certainly"
added the officer of the rangers, examining |
the hole with scrutiny, and then turning the
target around they were struck with the tact
that the shot Of the smallest bored rifle had
really pierced much the largest hole through |
the board.
ssSee here too,' he continued, finding the
corresponding hole in the trunk of the tree a.
gainst which the counterfeit sembiance' of the |
savage chieftain had rested, can it be possible |
that two bullets have passed through this ORR
fee 7'' ''ss
The suggestion was improbable, but some I
what startling. 1t was again examined with |