Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1861-04-13
Alabama RiAemen.

Mr.. Goose, tho naturalist, in lis Letter
from Alabama" rclLtGs some feats of shoot
ing. which we commend to Tie attention of
all members, of rifle clubs;
' Anothcr feat is 'thrcnding the needle
An augcr hole is pierced through the centre
of an upright board the oriice is lust large
enough to allow ball to p,,ss witl,oat touch
ingj and it is expected to pnss without touch
ing. A third is still more exciting snuT-
i"g the candles Itisperformcd in tbeniglt,
and the darkness of the scene adds Il Wild
ness to the amusement That greatly enhances
its interest. a calm nivht is chosen /; half
dozen ends of hlh'w caudlcs and n box of
matches ere taken ont into the field whittier
the uproarcus party of stalwart youths re-
pair One of them takes station hy the
mark; stick is thrust pcrpcndicularly into
the ground, ON the top of which piece of
candle is fixed citAor in socket or ttv means
of few drops Of grease a plank is set up
behind the candle to receive balls, which arc
all carefully ricke ont a!terthe sport IS over,
being mach too valuable to he wasted The
marker now lights the caudlc, which glin,-
mers like a.fceblc star, bnt Just visible atthe
spot whore the cXpcctmt party are standing.
Each one carefully loads his rifle; some nfark
the barrel with n lire of chalk to aid the
NISnJ III lnc uiINUCSS, OliIcFS .UpRIGCJ tllS,-
and seem to know the posiion Of the 'pea
by instinct. There is sharp, short crack
and inc OF fire; 1t little oi1Ji oii1i of s!;ae
rises pcrpendieuk,rly upwards; unmrrcirul
shout of dcrisinn halls the unmcky lnarksn,ip
for the candle is still twinkling dinly and
rcdly as before. Another confidently ,suc
.cecds; the light Is suddenly extipquished
his ball has cut it off Just below tho flame. -
This. wont do, the test is to snuff the. cfndlc
without putting it ont A third now steps
up; it is NY friend Jones, tic overscer ON
the plantation where am rcsidins; he is IL
crack shot, and We all expect so. 6tlline su
perb now The marker has repldeed tho
| lighted candle; 1t is allowed TO burn few
minutes until the wick his become long. The.
dimness of the light at length announces its
readiness, and the marker cries FIRE. A.
moment's breathless silence follows the flnsTs
aud report 3; y change was seen to pass upon
! the distant glean, and the dull, red light had
suddenly become whjte and sparkling r.
\ fright good y eries themnrker tloball has
! passed through she centre of the hame md
S8nuffed tho candlo,' and hS0ps and shouts of
nnsnlanse ring tl,reugh the field. aud echo from
thesuryouuaing forest. This extraordinary
feat is usually performed two or three times
/, in every contest of skill. s.
- a common exploit Is 'barIina off n
squirrel. Ny worthy friend Major yanncr,
the other day at my request, performed .tllis (
A couple of fox squirrels were laYin@ flr s,p
on q towering beech in the yard, littie s,is.
4 pceting wliat was coming FOR She beneat bf
4 sciehceR My friend went ii, and bfo.stfI, &
cut his trusty rife; lwnited n,oincntlfor ono
. of the little frisky gontlanen 40 be rightly
placed, for it Is neodful to the feat, that tho
4 squirrel should be cBnging to the bark og III
tree. The first shot was a. failures Ihs
squirrel fell dead, indeed, but il was pierced
with tho bah, which was mot Tho obieet.--.
Perhaps the creature lad moved a llgtIo III z
instant, Or perhaps the plantcr had tcen Esis
cprelessiy eopfdent however, his hetSe 4 j,
',g,p, and he took care TINT tl,3> 81 a
should be ali right, sfhs ball Slsatk elk
trunk Of the tree just beneath che belIy 8
the api@al driving of b piece Of the. bark i,