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

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
cloddy. 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-fask, which he offer
ed as a prize to the best shot.
There were half dozen volunteers,
and the details were speedily arranged.
Three shots each were to be allowed,
at one hundred and 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
we're 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 bull
lets had struck within an inch of the
centre, while the other two were 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 fred in their several
turns, and our party was quite sur
prised to find the shooting no more ac-
curate. Indeed we began to look with
distrust upon the wonderful stories oi
romance writer's.
All had fred at last save Stephen
Ranney, and Jack had made much the
shortest string.
The young man took his place
and raised his rife, which was con
siderably shorter than any Of th'
others. 4B
Look here, youngster," growlef
Jack, with 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 Che mark as yei
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.
I'm the edge of the bull's-eye, hal
an inch from the centred" shouted tn
marker. "The beshshot yet"
"It's an accident! He can't hit tn
board next timel" cried Jack.
l 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 wal
ing to here the result, Stephen turne
to reload his piece.
With a stride like that of an Ell
: ragged elephant, Jack Dunlaw move
> up 10 the side of his successful con
petitor.
I. "Don't ye dar' do that ag'inp' |
.. hissed, between his. shut jaws. g,
: yer do, twill be hard day for ye
! Now mark what l tell yerl amt G
ing to fool around no upstart lii
= you. Ye'ye made lucky hit twie'
!. now let that end il"
:, The young man made no answer
but saw his cheek become a shac
paler, and his hand trifie less stead
as he rammed home the bullet. The
:. with lips tightly Compressed, and g.
. fixed upon the target, he dropped a.
,, on his knee, and leveled his rifle.
+ "Now don't yer make another nj
i takep was Jacks last admonition q
" companied by shake of the fist
4 close to the young mans face that
- = began to feel like grasping the bnl
! from behind and dragging him fro
>. the scene.
- The third shot sped as the oth'
- q had done, and then the young no
~ spFang to his feet, dropped his rifle
q the ground IN a manner which sho
30 10 ed that patience had nearly ceased
~ be his ruling virtue. Still | cou
m not anticipate the scenes which We
"A 10 follow.
" The last bullet had struck just o.
side the ouli's-eye. add after careful