The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1916-11-09

model for his wild and gloomy pen
Gil. His stature was upwards of six
reet, his proportions perfectly SYM
metrical, and exhibiting the evidence
of Herculean powers. To strang-
er he would have seemed a complete
mulatto. Long exposure to the sun
and weather on the lower Ohio and
Mississippi had changed his skin;
and, but for the fine European cast
of his countenance, he might have
passed for the principa! warrior of
some powerful tribe. Although at
least so years of age, his hair was as
black as the wing of raven. Next
to his skin he wore red flannel
shirt, covered by a blue capot, orna-
mented with a white fringe. On his
feet were moccasins, and a broad
leathern belt, from which hung, sus-
pended in a sheath, large knife, en-
circled his waist.
AS soon as the steamboat became
stationary, the cabin passengers
jumped on shore. On ascending the
bank the figure l have just described
advanced to offer me his hand.
How are you, Mixer said l.
How goes it," replied the boat
man, grasping my hand with a
squeeze that l can compare to moth
ing but that of a blacksmith's wise.
Il am glad to see you, Mannee," )"
continued he, in his abrupt manner.
Il am going to shoot at the tin cup
for a quart-off hand-and you must
be the judge"
l understood Mike at once, and on
any other occasion should have re-
monstrated and prevented the trial
of skill. But 1 was accompanied by
couple of English tourists, who had
scarcely ever been beyond the sound
of Bow Bells, and who were travel
ing post over the United States to
make up a book of observations Of
our manners ond customs. There
were also among the passengers a
few bloods from Philadelphia and
Baltimore, who could conceive of
nothing equal to Chestnut or Howard
streets, and expressed great disap-
pointment at not being able to find
terrapins and oysters at every village,
marvelously lauding the comforts of
Rubicam's. My tramontane pride
was aroused, and l resolved to give
them an opportunity of seeing a
western lion-for such mike un-
doubtedly was-in all his glory. The
philanthropist may start, and accuse
me of want of humanity. | deny the
charge, and refer for apology to one
of the best understood principles of
human nature.
Mike, followed by several Of his
crew, led the way to beech grove,
some little distance from the landing.
invited my fellow passengers to
witness the scene. On arriving at
the spot, a stout, bull-headed boat
man, dressed in a hunting shirt, but
barefooted, in whom recognized
younger brother of Mike, drew line
with his toe; and stepping off 80
Yards, turned round fronting his
brother, took a tin cup which hung
at his belt, and placed it on his head.
Although l had seen this feat per-
formed before, l acknowledge felt
uneasy, whilst this silent prepara-
ton was going or. But l had not
much time for reflection, for this Sec
ond Albert exclaimed:
Blaze away, Mike, and let's have
the quart"
My "compagnons de voyage" as
they recovered from the first effect of
their astonishment, exhibited dispo
sition to interfere. But Mike, throw
ing back his left leg, leveled the
rifle at: the head of his brother. In
this horizontal position the weapon
remained for some seconds, as i'm
movable as if the arm which held it
was affected by no pulsation.
Elevate the piece little lower,
Mike, or you will pay the corn" cried
the imperturbable brother.
I know not if the advice was obey
ed or not, but the sharp crack of the
rifle Immediately followed, and the
cup flew off 80 or 40 yards, rendered
unfit for future service. There was
a cry of admiration from the strang-
ers, who pressed forward to see If
the foolhardy boatman was really
safe. He remained as immovable as
if he had been a figure hewn out of
stone. He had not even winked
ho1 efr ,o1y within two