The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1921-12-15
CHAPTER III-Continued.

CHAPTER Itt-continued.
Rainey gave over the spOkes and
vent to the starboard rail with Lund,
Watching the preparations between
fbre and main masts for the competi-
uon and telling Lund what was hap
pening. Carlson gave out some shot
mn cartridges from cardboard boxes,
uelve to each Of the six hunters.
Sandy, the roustabout, had been
pouisltioned to toss up empty bot
|ytes, and those who failed cursed him
Tor a poor thrower. A hunter named
Deming made no misses, and secured
1fst prize Of ten dollars in gold, with
1 man named Beale scoring two be-
hind him, and getting half that
amount from Carlson.
Then came the test with the rifles.
/ The weapons we're all Of the same
eallber well oiled, and in perfect con-
GiOn. Each Of the hunters had a
few shells in his possession, but, they
heked the total Of six dozen by a
considerable margin.
Carlson went below for the neces-
my ammunition while the target was
completed and set in place. A keg
nd been rugged with a weight under
'dung to keep 1t upright, and a tin
en-, painted white, set on short
pat in one end Of the key. A light
nne was attached to bride, and the
INK lowered over the stern, where 1t
ipde, bobbing in the tail Of the
tAooner's wake, thirty fathoms from
~ taffrail where the crowd gath
t6ed.
More bullets hit the key than the
eln, and Carlson was often called
Jpon as umpire. But the tin gradual
became ragged and blotched where
ne steel-jacketed missiles tore
through. Beale and Deming both had
Ne clean, undlsputed hits, tying for
Ut prize. Beale offered to shoot II
u with six more shells apiece, and
pemlng consented.
Cant. be DONE" declared Carlson.
lct right now, anyway. / gave out
@ last shell there was In the maya
ne."
Demed funny" said Deming, "a
elaler SHY on cartridges! Lucky We
eht worryin' about tibet sort Of q
lfyo.p :.
Probably plenty aboard some.
were" said Carlson, "but I don't
NOW where they are. You boys have
u ne beaten on rifles and shOtguns,
= went on, producing from his hip
PICKET q fiat, effective-loOking auto
ate pistol Of heavy caliber. "How
d ~ you on small arms?"
Inc hunters shook their heads dubi.
sally.
Never use EN-" said Deming.
Never could do much with that kind,
anyhow. Give me revolver, an ]
AlSht make out to hit a whale, II he
~ close enough, but not with one O
tlem.n
Not much difference" said Carl
"a. ANY Of you got revolversY'
40 one spoke. It was against the
Mxritten laws Of a vessel for pistols
y b owned forward Of the main
min. Beale finally answered for the
IN.
Nary a pistol, SIR"
Ihen," said Carlson, "I'll give you
= exhibition myself. Any bottles
n Beale, will you toss them fol
nes
1nere were eight shots in the auto
uc, and Carlson smashed seven
q tlles IN midalr. The hunters shout.
n their appreciation.
Break all Of 'emT Lund asked
81 ney Emmy bottles left at all7'
~ walked toward the taffrail, ad'
a Ting Carlson.
kln you shoot by sound as well as
ss asht, Docy' he challenged.
fancy not" said Carlson.
y ! had my eyes I'd snapshot ye
]. : : hundred bucks" said Lund. "As
! might target one or two
& have some one run q line
d d,high, an fix a bottle on 1t, will
amt got gun o my own
ne continued, will you lend me
W Carlson filed his clip and
81 = turned toward Rainey, who was
y lng the target.
w want you to tap It with q
he said. "Signal.fag staffll DC
alney got the slender bamboo anc
q BY. Lund felt for the cord
g his fingers over the suspended
Y and stepped of FIVE PAGES, heft
the automatic to Judge it, bal
Ihey tapped the bottle On tn
md L. rave out q little tlnklo