The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1877-07-18
THE PIONEERS.

country seldom or never neglect to
observe.
On the present occasion, the owner
of the birds was a free black, who had
been preparing for the occasion col
lection of game.
The throng consisted Of some twen-
tn or thirty young men, most of whom
had rifles. and collection of all the
bows in the village. The little urchins,
clad i'm coarse but warm garments,
stood gathered around the more dis
tinguished marksmen with their hands
stuck under their Wristbands listening
eagerly TO the boastful stories of the
skill that had been exhibited on for
mer occasions, and were already EMU
lating in their hearts these wonderful
deeds in gunnery.
The chief speaker was the man who
had been mentioned by Natty, as Billy
Kirby. This fellow, whose occupation,
when he did labor, was that of clearing
lands, or chopping jobs, was of great
stature, and carried, in his very air,
the index of his character. lie was a
nisy, boisterous, reckless lad, whose
good-natured eye cOntradicted the
bluntness and bullying tenor of his
speech.
Between him and the Leather-stock-
ing there had long existed a jealous
rivalry, on the point of their respect
i've skill in shooting. Notwithstand-
ing the long practice Of Natty, it was
commonly supposed that the steady
nerves and quick eye Of the wood-chop-
per rendered him his equal. Their
competition had, however, been con-
fined hitherto to boastings, and COM
parsons made from their successes in
their various hunting excursions; but
this was the first time that they had
ever come in open collision. The
turkey was already fastened to the
.mark," but its body was entirely hid
by the surrounding snow, nothing be-
ING visible but its red swelling head,
and long proud neck. If the bird was
injured by any bullet that struck below
the snow, it was still to continue the
property of its present owner, but If
a feather was touched in visible part,
the animal became the prize Of the
successful adventurer.
These terms we're loudly proclaimed
from the mouth of the negro, who was
seated in the snow, in somewhat
hazardous viciiH;t; to his favorite bid h!.t.,
as Elizabeth and her cousin, of the
county, approached the noisy sports
men. The sounds of mirth and con-
tention sensiby lowered at this uneX-
pected visit; but, after moments
pause, the curious interest exhibited
in the face of the young lady, togeth-
or with her smiling air, restored the
freedom of the morning; thoughitwas
somewhat chastened, both in language
and vehemence, by the presence of
such a spectator to their proceedings.
''Stand out of the way there, boys !"
cried the wood-chopper, who was
placing himself at the shooting point
-"stand out of the way, you little
rascals, or | will shoot through you.
Now, Brom, you may say good-by
to that turkey"
"Stop" cried the young hunter
81 am a candidate for chance too.
Here is my shilling, Brom; wish q
shot too"
"You may wish it in welcome"
cried Kirby, "but if | rufile the COB,
bler's feathers, how are you to get it
Is money so plenty in your deer-skir
pocket, that you pay for a chance that
you may never have"
GLOW know you, sir, how plenty
money is in pocket" said the youth
fiercely. "IIere is my shilling, Brom
and / claim a right to shoot"
''Don't be grabbed, my boy" sale
the other, who was very coolly fixing
his flint. "They say you have a hol'
in your left shoulder, yourself: so
think Brom may give you a fire fo
half price, 1t will take keen one t.
hit that bird, I can tell you, my lad
even if l give you chance, which is
thing l have no mind to do"
''Don't be Boosting, Billy Kirby,
said Natty, throwing the breech of hi
rife into the snow, and leaning on it
BARREL "you'll get but one shot a
the creature, for if the lad misses hi
aim, which wouldn't be wonder if h
did, with his arm so stiff and sore
you'll find a good piece and an old ey
coming alter you. Maybe it's tru
that can't shoot as l used to could
but hundred yards is but short dis
lance for long rifle"
"What, old restocking, al
you out this morning." cried his recb
less opponant. "Wen, fair plays
jewel. But I've the lead of you, oil
fellow; so here goes, for dry throa
or good dinner"
The countenance of the negro evint
ed not only all the interest which hi
pecuniary adventure might occasion
but also the keen excitement that tt
sport produced in others, though wit
very different wish as to the result
While the wood-chopper was siowi
and steadily raising his rife, he e'
claimed
"Fair play, Billy Kirby = stan
back-make 'em stand back, boys
glib niger fair play-poss-up-gol
bier; shake head, fool; don't a Sc
'em pokin gun at emp
These cries, which were intended :
much to distract the attention of Il
snarksman, as for any thing else, wer
however, fruitless, The nerves of IL
wood-chopper were not so easily shall