The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1875-09-01

think of it, as other brutal acts on
the part of Dunlaw came under our
notiee.
The third day after tho above Incl
dents took place we were off duty. 1t
had threatened rain during the morn
ing, aud the day proved dark and
cloudy. Shortly after noon one of our
party, anxious to see some specimens
of the famed rifle shooting of the
West, took from his baggage finely.
mounted powder-Aask, which he offer
ed as a prize to the best shot.
There we're half dozen volunteers,
and the details we're speedily arranged.
Three shots each were to be allowed,
at one hundred aud fifty PAGES, and
the man whose three shots made the
shortest string, measuring from the
center of the bull's-eye, was to receive
the flask.
Jack Dunlaw and Stephen Ranney
were among the contestants. | had
been quite curious to see how these
two persons would meet, but noticed
no change in the young mans deport-
ment. He spoke but little, and when
the list was arranged for the prece-
dence, voluntarily took the last place.
\ Then folding his arms and leaning
against the doorway, he carefully
watched the trial
Jack was one of the first to try his
skill, and when three shots had been
fred it was found that one of his bul.
lets had struck within an inch of the
centre, while the other two we're not
more than half an inch farther re.
moved.
"Four inches p the surveyor an
nounced, after carefully measuring the
distance of the several shots.
"Yas," growled Jack, throwing him.
self upon bench; "J'll wait here till
you beat that, some on yer, and when
yer dew it ye kin take that ther little
powder-box."
The others fired in their severa,
turns, and our party was quite sur
prised to find the shooting no more &c
curate. Indeed we began to look with
distrust upon the wonderful stories o
romance writers.
All had fred at last save Stepher
Ranney, and Jack had made much tn,
shortest string.
The young man took his place
and raised his rifle, which was con
siderably shorter than any of tn
others.
Look here, youngster," growle'
Jack, with a wink to his admirers
you'd better have a pop-gun; tina
wouldn't hurt anybody, and you'd b
jist as likely tew hit the mark as ye
will with that boys plaything."
Stephen made no reply, but placing
his weapon in rest, bowed his cheek t
the breech, and the next moment tn
sharp report rang out.
"In the edge Of the bull's-eye, hal
an inch from the centred" shouted tn
marker. "The bestshot yet"
ats an accident! He can't hit tn
board next timel" cried Jack.
/ saw from his manner that he wa
getting excited and angry; but Stept
en- reloaded his weapon in the most ur
concerned manner imaginable. As h
was about to FIRE, Jack walked towar
the target to mark the effect Of tn
shot.
1t was given as promptly as th
first, and to the surprise of every on,
it struck almost exactly in the centr
of the bull's-eye. But without wai
ing to here the result, Stephen turne
to reload his piece.
With stride like that of an er
ragged elephant, Jack Dunlaw move
up to the side of his successful con
petitor
, "Don't ye dar' do that ag'inP' h
, Kissed, between his shut jaws. 81
/, yer do, twill be hard day for ye
! Now mark what tell yerl amt g,
ing to fool around no upstart Lib
, you. Ye'ye made lucky hit twice
now let that end it,"
, The young man made no answer
but | saw his cheek become shaC
paler, and his hand trifle less stead
{ as he rammed home the bullet. The
!, with lips tightly Compressed, and ey
fixed upon the target, he dropped ul
: on his knee, and leveled his rifle.
i "Now don't yer make another mi
! takep was Jacks last admonition a
companied by shake of the fist
4 close to the young mans face that
. began to feel like grasping the bnl
!. from behind aud dragging him fro
,. the scene.
= The third shot sped as the othe
! had done, and then the young ml
q sprang to his feet, dropped his rifle
: the ground III manner which sho
"a ed that patience had nearly ceased
,. be his ruling virtue. Still cou