The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1888-04-27

and satisfy because zcgracc is fine. / want
to be far off to see people, to learn to read.
Monsieur, when strangers come here, not
good, not kind like you, zey laugh at us. ley
say you cannot read or write you know
nOthin' you are no more Fan your beasts
Non n0H," striking his breast, II will go away |!
will not stay here"
you would leave your father, your
friends ?" the officer said gently. my poor
boy, the world isn't quite heaven"
at may Oe bad, yes. 1t mny hurt me, hut
it will not be ze prairie. All, | choke
here!'
"In plain words, you want change and
the officer laughed. "You want the pony to
gallop off into pitfalls, and stumble against
walls, and to get so many knocks and tum-
bles that all the Kings horses and all the
Kings men couldn't piece you into old Jean
Baptisle again. You don't understand
word l say. was Just talking
to myself you see, and you needn't
understand. Go to sleep, and sleep
soundly if you want to shoot well. Nothing
| like a good nights rest to eady the nerves"
About ten o'clock next morning several
hundred people assembled at the appointed
place. In the open prairie, the PatgO, fastcn-
ed to tall pole, iluttered its gay stream
streamers in the breeze, and the attention of
bird and the stately young officer, who tow
cred above them all, his keen eyes taking in
every detail ofthe scene.
HE looks likes ST. Michael" whispered
one. "Thc picture in the church.
BAH !" answered the other st. Michael
is angry, he is trampling the dragon. That
man looks as cold as ice, his face never
changes, though he is handsome Yes he is
beautiful"
The shooting began, but somehow it was
unusually bad. After twenty shots the Pat
COS ribbon plumage still waved defiance.
Neither wings nor head had been brought
down.
"Will not monsieur take some chance 2"
said one of the judges, in very good English,
approaching the stranger.
Eyes, will take four, but after Jean Bip-
tiste Avran. 1t is his turn, now
Jean Baptstes first shot was tolerable, as
it struck the wing of the bird, but without
bringing it down. In the next, his nervous
excitement had got the better of him, and
his shot flew over the bird, He had taken
but three chances and his last shot was so
deplorably wide of the mark, that hooking
laugh from the competitors saluted it.
AHA, Jean Baptistew cried one, thou didst
not say thy prayers last night. Get out of
of the way, mon CARS, and let the strange
monsieur Try his luck.
The officer took his ritle from Jean Bap-
tiste, and smiled at his downcast face. He ex-
amined the weapon, and loaded it in his cool,
deliberate manner, and taking his position,
carelcssly raised it and, without apparently
looking at the Patgo, called out:
This for ule right wing of your bird !"
The shot rang out, aGd the wing lay on
the ground.
"Tlis for the head ~
The ribbons which had adorned that por-
ton of the Patgo gave Inst tluttcr as it
swooped down.
"And this for the pOny!"
AS the bird fell, perfect storm of rage
arose in the crowd.
unfair !" "Cheatery ~ The Patgo should
not have fallen for an hour yet. He is n
sorcercrp He is devil p "Robber ~ "Vilc
American !"
The officer did not understand them, but
he saw threatening faces and gesticulaiing
arms, as the crowd pressed closely to him.
He coolly loaded his rifle, and standing with
his back 10 II large tree, waited for an al
tack, his mpassive face as calm as if he had
been among friends. Jean Baptistc, his boy.
ish face glowing with indignation, and his
eyes flashing defiance, sprang to his side.
"Zey is mad ~ he cried ley want to fight
you towards! Aha, | has gum" holding
it up. 81 will helpyou."
1.-TWO against two hundred" said the Of
ticer coolly with smile. ats long odds,
my boy, but I'll try to hold my post You
must keep out of the mess. For the life of
me don't know what the hcggars are howl
ing about, but all the same if they attack me,
I'm ready"
But there were some cool heads in that
crowd They dashed about among the tur-
bulent crowd, scolding at the very top ofther
voices, and giving heavy blows right and
left to some of the furious youngsters who
were shaking their fists and bowling curses
at the cool stranger.
"You must heXcuse re boys monsieur"
said one of the judges Courteously, to the
officer. Boys are fools, and you spoiled re
fun by bringing down re Patgo so soon. 1t
is all fair, and you hat re prize, but Zey lose
their heads when you tell just where you are
going to hit. We nevaire ask stranger he
name, but il monsieur will tell us, he's so
wonderful marksman, will be much graft
fy."
MY name is Scott" said the stranger,
captain Scott, from the Barracks ut Baton
Rouge"
There wasa minutes profound silence, rs
the name of the most celebrated marksiNa,
in the country fell upon their ears Not a
Stats, but what had heard OF the wonderful
feats of craftsmanship Of that gallant young
officer.
Then suddenly, as with one voice, there
arose deafening cheer.
Captain Scott Hurrah for Captain
Scott!'
Men crow led around to gaze at him, to
shake hands with him. A voice cried out In
good English, 1--WE are proud, Captain Scott,
to have seen you. We'd have given two
ponies willingly just to have a peep at you.
And you're worth il too"
Captain Scott laughed and turned to the
Judge, who, leading up the prize pony, laid
the bride in his hand.
"It's Il beautiful animal" he said, admiring
ly, "but of course it's not up to my weight. |
Jean Baptisle, II shot for you. Mount your
pony" he added, with laugh, land let us
see you gallop into the great world"
Jean Baptiste gasped for breath, then, be-
fore Captain Scott could prevent him, he had
thrown his arms around the astonshed
Captains neck, and kissed him on both
cheeks. The crowd cheered Jean Baptiste,
with an Indian yell, sprang on the pony
and galloped over the prairie. But he did
not gallop into the world that day, nor be-
fore year, when, through the influence of
Captain Scott he was placed in a school.
The world was kind to the prairie boy, and
he became wealthy and influential man. A
few years ago he died Mt an advanced age,
but his most treasured possession was n pic.
ture of Captain Scott in the glory of his beau
lifu manhood. The gallant officer died
shortly after the picture was taken, but there
are probably many living now who remem-
Der the incident of the Patgo.