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

of Elizabeth had induced her to with
draw. and give the following opinion,
with all the gravity that subject and
hiss own rank demand -
81 am of opinion, that Nathaniel
Bumppo has lost his chance, and must
pay another shilling before he renews
his right"
As this opinion came from such a
high quarter, and was delivered with
so much effect, it silenced all murmurs,
for the whole Of the spectators had
begun TO take sides with great warmth,
except from the Misunderstanding
himself.
81 think Miss Elizabeth's thoughts
should be TAKEN" said Natty. give
known the squaws give very good
counsel, when the Indians have been
dumb founderedd in their notions. If
she says that | ought to lose, l agree
to give it up"
"Then l adiudge You to be a loser,
for this time" said Miss Temple ''but
pay your money, and renew your
chance; unless Brom will sell me the
bird for a dollar. viii give him the
money, and save the life of the poor
victim"
This proposition was evidently but
little relished by any of the listeners,
even the negro feeling unwilling to lose
the sport, though he lost his turkey.
In the mean while, as Billy Kirby was
preparing himself for another shot,
Natty left the goal, with an extremely
dissatisfied manner, muttering to HIM
self, and speaking aloud
"There hasn't been such thing as
a good flint sold at the foot Of the lake,
since the time when the Indian traders
used to come into the country.
The wood-chopper seemed now en-
tirely sensible that his reputation in a
great measure depended on his care
nor did he neglect any means to en-
sure success. He drew up his rifle,
and renewed his aim, again and again,
still appearing reluctant to fire. No
sound was hear from even Brom, dur
ing these portentous movements, until
Kirby discharged his piece, with the
same want of success as before. Then,
indeed, the shouts of the negro rung
through the bushes, and sounded
among the trees of the neighboring
forest, like the outcries of tribe OF
Indians. He laughed, rolling his head
first on one side then on the other, UNI
tilnature seemed exhausted with mirth.
lie danced until his legs were wearied
with motion, in the snow; and, i'll
short, he exhibited all that violence OF
iov that characterizes the mirth of q
thoughtless negro.
The wood-chopper had exerted his
art, and felt Q Droportionate degree OF
disappointment at his failure. lie first
examined the bird with the Utmost
attention, and more than once sug-
gested that he had touched its feathers
but the voice of the multitude was
against him, for it felt disposed to lis
ten to the often-repeated cries Of the
black, to "gib a niger fair play" -.-
Finding it impossible to make out q
title to the bird, Kirby turned fiercely
to the black, and said
"Shut your oven, you crow! Where
is the man that can hit turkeys head
at hundred yards? l was fool FOL
trying. You needn't make an uproar
like falling pine-tree, about it. Show
me the man who can do it,
"Look this away, Billy Kirby,
said Misunderstanding, "and let then
clear the mark, and I'll show you {
man who's made better shots afor
now, and that when he's been hare
pressed by the savages and will
beasts"
"Ferhaps there is one whose right
come before ours, Misunderstanding,
said Miss Temple; ''if so, we vii
waive our privilege"
"If it be me that you have referenc
to, madam" said the young hunter
81 shall decline another chance. M
shoulder is yet weak, / find"
Elizabeth regarded his proud, bu
forced manner, and even thought tina
she could discern a tinge on his cheek
, that spoke the shame of consciou
: poverty. She said no more, but SUI
fered her own champion to make
= trial.
Although Natty Bumppo had Gel
tainly made hundreds of more me
t mentous shots, at his enemies or h
game, yet he never exerted himse
Y more to excel. He raised his pieC
three several times once to get h
range; once to calculate his distance
: and once because the bird, alarmed /
: the deathlike stiffness that prevailed
!. turned its head quickly, to examine i
= foes. But the fourth time he fire.
s The smoke, the report, and the mi
mentary shock, prevented most of Il
d spectators from instantly knowing IL
t result; but Elizabeth, when she sa
= her champion drop the end of his rif
?, in the snow, and then proceed vel
), coolly to recharge his piece, knew TIL
: he had been successful. The DO,
e rushed to the mark, and lifted the tn
a key on high, lifeless, and with nothir
:, but the remnant of q head.
o "Bring in the GREATER" said Leaf
restocking, ''and put it at the feet
e the lady. | was her deputy in Il
o matter, and the bird is her property
y "And a good deputy you ha
b proved yourself" returned Elizabet
and she blushed a little as she turn,
:; to the young hunter, and, with Il
TT insinuating charm of a woman's be
70 o11o1 LLD,,A