Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1908-01-09
(From Shields Magazine.)
A Tie Tbot Wos Never Shot Off.
BY N J BILLMYER.

Away back in the eighties. MAJOR
H. and Mr.. B. met in a store In
Shepherdstown. They had hunted
much together, and in their younger
days were both considered fair shots.
They soon fell to relating some oi
their h1nting adventures, each claim
ing to have been the best shot.
B, you know l could alwayE
beat you" said the MAJOR.
"You have that wrong, Major, and
to prove it, | will bet you the oysters
Tor the house that l can take nv old
musket and bag more birds in day
than you can"
Done" said the Major. I'VE will
shoot the race tomorrow.
They CALLED on Mr.. A. a clergy
man who Was present, to witness The
wager.
Neither Of them having dogs, they
decided to meet at my house the lol'
lowing day. and have me accompany
them with my Two pointers.
The Major is described in Cook {
''Surry Of Eagle's Nest, thrilling
historical story Of the Civil War, as
"A huge, black. bea -ded giant, with d
voice like the rumble OF distant thun-
Ger" which Was indeed true picture
OF the man al that time.
Early the next morning he Major
rode up, armed with his Il pound
10. bore muzze loader and Carrying d
game bag that would hold bashel'
He had two shot bags strapped across
his shoulders, a powder flask that
would hold at least pound. aud be
looked more like an ordnance train
than a sportsman. Being such pow
erful man, he could handle his IL
poun gun with as much ease as an
ordinary sized man could handle one
OF seven pounds.
Shortly after the Majors arrival
Mr.. B. made his appearance, carry
Ing is old musket. After they had
shaken hands with each other the
Major said, B, do drinks go with
the oysters2'
Yes, Major, drinks are included.
Being thus assured, the Major pro-
ceeded to load his gun
"What Is your load today. Major,
asked B..
-Four and oue.half drams Of pow
der and one and one half ounces OF
shot"
Everything being ready to COM
mence the hunt. the dogs were turned
loose. and We stated for the fields
Birds were plentiful that fall and the
dogs soon came to point. B. Was
on the right, the NJ j)r in the center
aud Was on the left. The dogs soou
pointed, and when we we're ready to
shoot the birds were flushed. Then
came FIVE reports, but t bird wa'
grassed. We marked them down IL
piece of timber, aud proceeded tc
load. The Major Rsid:
Shut the wrong eye. What's the
matter, B-?"
The old musket hung FIRE"
Load her up" said the M1jor.
Was shooting a breech. loader, and
had TO wait until they had finished
loading. Mr.. B. had neglected tt
clean bis N 1sket before starting out
and when he triei ito load her up
as the Mrjor had directed, he got tn
ramrod fast, and Was unable to get l
out. We adjourned to a rail fence
which B. aud raised up. We thel
slipped the end of tn r4mmer unde
the lower rails, and climbed on top t
hold the rod eecure. The Msjor, at
ter several pulls, loosened the rod am
removed it from the barrel.
After B. had finished loading W
started in the direction the birds ha,
gone. The dogs pointed again, bu
when the birdie were flushed we al
scored misses. The Major blame
his miss on bad powder, while B
said:
"Ths report of the M'jor's gun Wa
80 loud, it made me gun shy.",
The birds were then flushed In sin
giles and doubles, and we shot rapid
for some tins, but not bird did "
bag.
just before leaving the timber Ii
dogs flushed bird, which few owe
tie M4jor's head through the wood
TIE Moj)r cut loose at it, and shot o
a limb which nearly fell on B's bea'
Look out, NJ j T" roared b.
You'd better get your life insare
af vou want TO hunt birds with me,