The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1904-11-25

movement
saw the father turn slightly pale,
but he made no protest, only following
his daughter from the room, and re-
turning several minutes afterwards as
calm as ever.
No one seemed to resent this fearful
insult, which, perhaps, nowhere else in
the civilized world would have been
permitted to go unpunished; and in a
day or two we almost ceased to think
Of it, as other brutal acts on the part
of Dunlaw came under our notice.
The third day after the above incl
dents took place we were off duty 1t
had threatened rain during the morn
ing, and the day proved dark and
cloudy. Shortly after noon one of our
party, anxious to see some specimens
of the famed rife shooting of the west,
took from his baggage finely mount
ed powder flask, which he offered as a
prize to the best shot
There were half-a-dozen volunteers,
and the details were speedily arranged.
| Three shots each were to be allowed,
at one hundred and fifty PAGES, and the
man whose shots made the shortest
string, measuring from the centre Of
| the bulls eye, was to receive the flask
Jack Dunlaw and Stephen Ranney
were among the contestants. | had
been quite curious to see how these
two persons would meet, but | noticed
no change in the young mans deport-
ment. He spoke but little, and when
the list was arranged for the prece-
dence, voluntarily took the last place,
then folding his arms and leaning
against the doorway, he carefully
watched the trial.
Jack was one of the first to try his
skill, and when three shots had been
fired, it was found that one of his bull
lets had struck within an inch of the
centre, while the other two were not
more than half an inch further re-
moved.
Four inches! the surveyor announced
after carefully measuring the several
shots.
"Yaas." growled Jack, throwing him.
self upon a bench; III wait here till
you beat that, some on yer, and when
yer dew yer kin take that Their little
powder box"
The others fred in their several turns
and our party was quite surprised to
find the shooting no more accurate. In
deed we began to look 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 we
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.
'In the edge Of the bull's-eye, half an
inch from the centre!" shouted the
marker. "The best shot yet
IT'S 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
manner imaginable. AS he
was about to fire, Jack walked toward
bo 20 RI ri hn off nf ha
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 stride like that of an enraged
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. Ye've made
a 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
rammed home the bullet. Then, with
lips tightly compressed, and eyes fixed
upon the target, he dropped upon one
knee and leveled his rifle.
Now don't yer make another mis-
take!" was Jacks last admonition, ac-
by shake of the fist so
close to the mans face that l began