The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-02
DIPLOMAT WHO SHOOTS
ASTONISHING SKILL OF THE MINIS
TER FROM BRAZIL.
Absolute Master of Rife and Pistol
Astonishing Feat without the
Use of Firearms.
Kansas CITY Star.

In SENIOR j. r. ue ASSiS DldSiis chNos SA-
traordinary and minister plenipotentiary to
the United States. the Republic of Brazil
boasts not only one of the most aStute
diplomats at Washington. but also an anna
teur marksman of unparalleled skill.
One afternoon recently Senior Brasil
talked in an entertaining strain on sports
manship and shooting. lie went over TO an
oaken gun case and, selecting first one
piece and then another to illustrate the
point under discussion, he began a series
OF performances wonderful TO behold.
ut has always seemed peculiar TO me"
he remarked, that most men stand facing
their antagonist, full front. Bob Acres had
the right idea i'm presenting the least posi-
bic surface 10 the opponent. Moreover,
when one stands firmly with the feet lit
tie apart, the toes pointed out and the head
turned well TO the left, his poise is stead
Ter. Again. If the palm of the left hand is
spread and the gun well balanced on the
outstretched hand. there is much less ten
sion than in the usual mode of holding the
piece.
Most men pull the trigger with the index
finger of the disengaged hand. If you will
try the second finger you will find IL gives
better control and enables one to further
steady the aim with the thumb and index
finger
Then the speaker threw open window
and said: (Which blade of grass shall L
cut?" AS some one looked incredulous, the
minister smiled in return and added. Per
haps you cannot distinguish one from an
other, try this" and he tossed a shot
smaller than French pea on bit of
sidewalk in the yard AS the shot rolled
along in the sunshine until it nestled in
some inequality in the pavement, he re-
sumed Now I'll fire when you say"
Fire.
Pink! snapped the little rifle, and the
tiny shot popped off to one side. Senior
Brasil smiled. I'm the summer, H. is more
amusing to clip the wings off fly, but
this is good practice firing down at such
an angle as this.
The shot was fired from the second story
window at an angle of about forty-fve de-
grees and the object was about twenty
five feet distant
This is merely little toy gun, with
which | amuse the children sometimes. 1t
is not so very accurate" depreciatingly
but perhaps 1 can show you another thing
that conveys better my meaning. There is
a something, an intangible rapport, that
the true marksman must have. Then he
cannot fail. Here, / will wave this rifle
about describing with the barrel circles
about a foot in diameter), and when you
give the command / will shoot"
"Go-snap!' went the command and the
explosion simultaneously 1T seemed Inc
missile sped straight to the mark, small
matchsafe across the room.
You see, one must shoot at the precise
psychologist instant or the bullet will go
astray.''
II seemed as if the shooter had not aimed
oil nd sal so
'sOh we'll that is not always necessary,
retorted the minister, laughing. I'll hold
the rifle in one hand, waist high, and see If
/ cannot put another bullet through the
aperture made by that other one" Presto.
he had reloaded. cooked and fired the rife
in a trice and the second pellet had fol-
lowed the first.
1.-THE archer does not aim he knows the
power of his bow and the trajectory of his
arrow. He and his instrument are en- rap
port and the shaft pierces the bull's-eye.
So it should be to-day with modern weap-
OnS.
Then he whirled the rife under his leg
and put another bullet through the tiny
match box. Leaning over and looking
through his legs, with his head almost on
the floor Senior Brasil fired once more
and unerringly.
bah, that is all theatrical" he said. '1et
us not discuss 1t. But would you sit down
over there and let me place this other side
Of the match box on top of your head
Therel The head little more TO The left
Now L VIII put a bullet through the nedO
of the little man pictured on the box
Walking off a few PAGES the minister
drew bead and fired.
''Oh. but you moved. ever so little" he
murn ured Eyes, involuntarily, OF course,
put still fancy we did not miss the mark
aits sc her T"
STOPPING Down, he picked the box of the
floor and Lointed smilingly to the hole
through the neck of the man. Shall we
try again? Perhaps the next one will go
straighter."
s.N-no,' calculated the William Tell SUBJ
ject The e.-neok was straight enough.
Vefy good shot, indeed
perhaps you would be kind enough to
hold this card and let me see If ! cannot
split it," turning TO another gentleman in
the party. II will fire at your command,
m sieur."
Ping! Again the aim was true and the
thin card was sliced as IL by a knife blade
Again. holding a small hand mirror in his
hand, the minister hit the bulls eye with
the gertrude and accuracy of clock tick
ing of the seconds. Distinguishing light
cd match and exploding a cartridge half
in bedded IL board Immediately behind 1t
was still another diversion.
Yet more wonderful was the simultane-
Gus shooting of two sparrows. fifty or sixty
feet apart. as they pecked at little mounds
OF grain. Sighting first one pistol and then
the other. tho marksman. standing midway
between the two birds. shot both at the
samo instant
He never uses shotgun in hunting be-
iieving bullets are more humane. "A bullet
kills instantaneously.' he said. while shot
scatter and maim."
Senior, Brasil Is fond of partridge shoot
Ing. He prefers rifle always, but he mas