The Brunswick daily news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1903-1906, 1904-11-13

The third day after the above Incl
dents took place we were of duty. ri
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 a finely mount
cd powder flask which he offered as
prize to the best shot.
There were halfa-dozen volunteers,
and the details were speedily arranged.
Three shots each we're 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, w9s 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 1t 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," scowlcd Jack, throwing him
self upon a bench; 'Tll 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
All had fred at last save Stephen
Ranney, and Jack had much tile short.
est string
The young man took his place and
raised his rife, which was considerably
shorter than any Of the others
Look here, youngster." growled
Jack with wink to his admirers.
You better have a pop-gun that
wouldn't hurt anybody, and you'd be
just as likely tew hit the mart as ge
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 ont.
In the edge OF the buli's-eye half an
inch from the cenue!" shouted the
marker. "rhe 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
| II 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 III We do,
twill be hard day for yer. Now mark
what | tell yer! | 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 a shade paler.
and his hand a trine less steady as he
/ rammed home the bullet. Then. with
/ lips tightly compressed and eyes flxod
upon the target. he dropped upon one
knee and leyeled his rife
Nov don't yer make another mis-
takc!" was Jacks last admonition. ac-
companied by a shake of the fist SO
close TO the mans face that l began
to feel like grasping the bully and
dragging him from the scene.
The third shot sped as the others
had done, and then the young man
sprang to his feet dropping his rifle 10
the ground in a manner which showed
that patiehce had nearly ceased to be
his ruling virtue. Still, could not an
ticipate the scenes which were TO fol-
low
Tho 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 Aep The
measurements, stepped UP. among the
crowd now gathered and said
MI Ranaey has made the best rec
ord, his three shots measuring hut two
inches. SO | give to him the flask ac-
cording to agreement
He reached forth tho prize as he
spoke. but before the young man could
take it, Jack snstched IL from the sur
yeyors hand, and put Il in his pocket
No one anticipated such a movement.
and it was some time before Tarbox
1 recovered his selfpossession so as to
speak,