The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-11-02

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 a finely mount.
ed powder flask, which he offered as
prize TO the best shot
There we're halfa-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 l 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
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 bench; "Ill wait here till
you beat that, some on yer, and when
yer dew yer kin take that ther 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 wink to his admirers.
You better have a popgun; 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.
"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 un-
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, II
struck almost exactly in the centre of
the bulrs-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 ye dar do that ag'in!" he hiss
ed between his shut jaws. "If ye do
twill be a hard day for yer. Now mark
what / tell yer! amt goin' to fool
around no upstart like you. Ye've made
lucky hit twice; now let that end 1t.
The young man made no answer; but
| saw his cheek become shade paler
and his hand a trihe 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
companied by shake of the fist 81
close to the mans face that l begaI
to feel like grasping the bully. anC
dragging him from the scene.
The third shot sped as the Others
had done, and then the young n.al
sprang to his feet, dropping his rife e
; the ground in a manner which showed
: that patience had nearly ceased to b.
; 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 carefull
measuring the three, Tom Tarbox. h
who had offered the prize, and kept tn
: measurements, stepped up, among tn
crowd now gathered and said,-
b "Mr. Ranney has made the best rec
. ord, his three shots measuring but tw
= inches, so | give to him the flask az
3 cording to agreement"
He reached forth the prize as h
Il spoke. but before the young man coul
n take 1t, Jack snatched 1t from the SUI
n veyors hand. and put it in his pocke
Q No one anticipated such movement
X and It was some time before Tarbo
y | tta calFp<a .