Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1866-10-05
OCTOBER 5, 1866.

father CROPPED around until he was satis-
fed that the next instant be would be in
his grasp, and he saw but one method ot
escaping detection, which he instantly re-
sorted to. He leaped upon the poor old
man, and gave him blow which knocked
him down aud thus secured an opportuni-
ty to make his escape to the house.
The old man soon recovered himself,
however, and called out, Martin Mar
tin! come here quick there are robbers
about and one of them has knocked me
down." Martin turned, and running back
to the corn huse, aided his father for a
considerable time in searching for the sup
posed robber.
During the winter of 1886, while Gen.
Taylor's army occupied Corpus Christi,
Col, Garland, Capts. Scott, Mccall, and
myself, went about one hundred miles up
the Nueces upon a hunting expedition.
Our hunt, after we reached the ground
lasted four days, and the result was we
bagged twenty-seven deer, seventy-three
wild turkeys, four Gger-ca's, besides quite
number of geese and ducks, and of these
Capt Mccall and myself killed the great
er part. Capt. Scott only killed one deer
and few turkeys.
| soon perceived that he considered his
reputation as somewhat damaged by these
disparaging results, and, as we were re-
turning to Corpus Christi, he remarked to
me that it might be just as well not to
mention to the officers at camp which one
of US bagged the greatest amount of game,
as this would not probably please the other
two gentlemen. | replied that it would
be exceedingly unbecoming in me to boast
of my own exploits, therefore, / should,
of course, say nothing upon the subject.
On our arrival at the encampment with
the extraordinary quantity of game, the
officers collected around US, and manifest
ed great d. sire to ascertain which of the
four had excelled in the hunt / made
an evasive answer, stating that we had
not been particular about keeping accur-
| ate count, but that there was not probably
much difference. The question was then
put to Captain Scott, who, after my gene
rous reply, thought he must say something
magnanimous in return, and he answered
that he was not altogether certain as IL
which had bagged the most game, but 0
one thing he was sure, and that was h,
had seen great many deer hunters il
his day, but that he had never met Will
one who could crasol and sneak and squirn
up to deer like Marcy. ] appreciate,
!, the mniira which dintatad tha remarI
fully, but, at the same time, | regarded thu
intended compliment as somewhat equivo
cal in its import.
The Captain was not upon all other oc
casions as magnanimous as he might have
been towards those who attempted tc
come in competition with him as marks
men or hunters. While at Green Bay in
1883 / had procured rifed pistol, which
description Of arms had only been in use
short time then, and Capt. Scott, having
never before seen one, was incredulous in
regard to my assertions as to its perform
ances. The barrel of this pistol was abou
twelve inches in length, aud would throw
ball fifty yards with as much accuracy
as rifle. Scott did not believe it, how
ever, and often battered me to give 8
specimen of its powers; but, not feeling
disposed to subject myself to the ridicul,
OF this celebrated sportsmen by incurrine
the risk of making possible failure il
the presence of spectators, declined, un
til one day he proposed that we should q
out alone and try it, to which proposition
l assented. In order fully to appreciat,
J the sequel of our target excursion, it mus
be rem mbered that the Captain was ex
ceedingly economical, and estimated a dol
lar at its full value. He had that morn
, ing treated himself TO a new pocket-knife
with which he cut out piece OF pape
about four inches square, and fastened i
TO board by sticking his knife direcil,
} through the centre of it. made sho
: standing about fifty yards distant an,
struck the lower part of the paper H.
} expressed some astonishment at the pre-
cision of the shot, but gave it as his opin
: ion that ii was accidental, and doubted i
. it could be done again. assured hin
that it was by no means the result o
! chance, and that in all probability shoul,
make a better shot the next time indeed
added that he must not be surprised
: / struck his new peuknife (only the en-,
of the handle was exposed) He replied
t Never mind the knife don't let tina
: give you the slightest uneasiness, sir; g
. ahead and make your shot; I'll be respon
] sible for the knife" Whereupon / raise
: the pistol and fired again, and at the sam
# instant the paper fell to the ground. Upo
I i. \ ~. -