Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1904-11-11

moved
Four inchesi the surveyor announced
after carefully measuring the several
shots.
"Yaas," growled Jack throwing him.
self upon a bench; "I'll wait here till
you beat that, some on yer, and when
yer dew yer kin take that Their little
powder box"
The others fired in their several turns
and our party was quite surprised to
find the shooting no more accurate. In
deed we began to leeiki witt with disgust up
on the wonderful stories of romantic
writer's.
ALI had fired at last save Stephen
Ranney and Jack had much the short
est string
The young man took his place, and
raised his rifle, which was considerably
shorter than any of the others.
Look here, youngster," growled
Jack, with a wink to his admirers.
''You better have pop-gun; that
wouldn't hurt anybody, and you'd be
just as likely tew hit the mark as ye
will with that boys plaything."
Stephen made no reply, but placing
his weapon in rest, bowed his cheek to
the breech, and the next moment the
sharp report rang out
I'm the edge of the bulls-eye, half an
inch from the centred" shouted the
marker. "The best shot yet"
Its an accident! He can't hit the
board next time!" cried Jack
/ saw from his manner that he was
getting excited and angry. But Steph-
en- reloaded his weapon in the most I'M
concerned manner imaginable. AS he
was about to fire, Jack walked toward
the target to mark the effect of the
shot.
1t was given as promptly as the first,
and to the surprise of every one, it
struck almost exactly in the centre of
the bull's-eye. But without waiting to
hear the result, Stephen turned to re-
load his piece.
With a stride like that of an enraged
elephant Jack Dunlaw moved up to
the side of his successful competitor.
Don't we dar do that ag'in!" he hiss
ed between his shut jaws. IF We do,
twill be hard day for yer. Now mark
what l tell yer! l amt goin' to fool
around no upstart like you. we've made
lucky hit twice; now let that end it.
The young man made no answer; but
[ saw his cheek become shade paler,
and his hand trifle less steady as he
RANKED home the bullet. Then, with
lips tightly compressed, and eyes fixed
upon the target, he dropped upon one
knee and leveled his rifle.
Nov don't yer make another mis-
take!" was Jacks last admonition, ac-
companied by shake of the fist so
close to the mans face that | began
to feel like grasping the bully and
dragging him from the scene.
The third shot sped as the others
lad done, and then the young man
sprang to his feet, dropping his rifle to
the ground in manner which showed
that patience had nearly ceased to be
his ruling virtue Still, could not an
ticipate the, scenes which were to fol
low.
The last bullet had struck just out
side the bulls eye, and after carefully
measuring the three, Tom Tarbox, he
who had offered the prize, and kept the
measurements, stepped up, among the
crowd now gathered and said,-
Mr. Ranney has made the best rec
ord, his three shots measuring but two
inches, so l give to him the flask &C
cording to agreement
He reached forth the prize as he
spoke, but before the young man could
take it, Jack snatched it from the sur
geyor's hand, and put it in his pocket.
No one anticipated such a movement,
and it was some time before Tarbox
recovered his selfpossession so as to
speak
1.-The flask belongs to Mr.. Ranney,"
ne said please let him have it."
1.-The flask belongs to me-" retorted
Jack His shootin' war all accidental
He only happened to hit whar he did.
But then, he can have the flask if he
IAN git it, or you either"
Tarbox bit his lip, and looked to the
other members of the party undecided
how to act. Seeing his irresolution,
Ranney stepped forward and said,-
Don't trouble yourself, Mr.. Tarbox.
The flask is mine, and l will see to
getting it,
'You will, eh?" snarled the bully.
Cit away from me-out of arms
reach-or I'll smash you like roast
Eater!"
Thus speaking, the giant swung his
fists about, but the young man did
not move. Instead he received a blow
apon the head which knocked away his
hat, and seemed to change his whole
nature to that of a young lion. With
l strength and agility wholly unlocked
for, he dealt the giant fearful blow
full upon the nose, which threw him to
the ground, and deluged the income
ly face and beard with torrents of
blood There was a momentary strug-
gle upon the ground after the bully fell,
and then Stephen stepped back pace
or two.
In moment the ruffian was upon his
feet again, and with a fearful curse he
placed his hand where he expected to
ind a revolver. But it was gone.
Then he sought for his knife. but that,
too. was missing. The young man had
taken the precaution of removing
them, go that now they stood upon
equal ground. But what contrast
Nine inches in height the bully lowered
above his antagonist, while in actual
weight he was nearly twice his equal
There was no parley nor hesitation.
Finding himself weaponless, Jack
rushed for the young man, and would
have crushed him in deadly grasp;
but the young man did not wait for the
process. quick, fierce blow, falling
just where the other had fallen, stag
gered the rascal, and before he could
see what had become of the man he
supposed already in his grasp, tre-
mendous crack in the ear brought him
again to the ground. Again he scram-