The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1922-01-19
CHAPTER IIi-continued.

watching the preparations between
fore and main masts for the competi-
don, and telling Lund what was hap
pening. Carlson gave out some shot
aun cartridges from cardboard boxes.
tTelve to each of the six hunters.
Sandy, the rOustabOut, had been
reouisitioned to toss up empty bot
Ties, and those who failed cursed him
Tor a poor thrower. A hunter named
Deming made no misses, and secured
0rst prize Of ten dollars in gold, with
man named Beale scoring two be-
hind him, and getting half that
amount from Carlson.
Then came the test with the rifles.
the weapons were all Of the same
talIber, we'll oiled, and in perfect con-
dition. Each Of the hunters had a
few shells In his possession, but they
lacked the total Of six dozen by a
considerable margin.
Carlson went below for the neces-
ny ammunition while the target was
completed and set in place. A key
I'D been rugged with a weight under
u dung to keep 1t upright, and a TIN
can, painted white, set on a short
mar In one end Of the key. A light
HE was attached to a bride, and the
mark lowered over the stern, where 1t
tede, bobbing in the tail Of the
1cAooner's wake, thirty fathoms from
Nv taffrail where the crowd gath
d "a.
More bullets hit the keg than the
81 a., and Carlson was often called
& non as umpire. But the tin, gradual
became ragged and blotched where
steel-jacketed missiles tore
trough. Beale and Deming both had
N clean, undlsputed hits, tying fol
& M prize. Beale offered to shoot u
4 : With six more shells apiece, anc
Inning consented.
Cant be DONE" declared Carlson
& Not right now, anyway. l gave ou'
~ last shell there was In the maya
"a ~"
Derned funny" said Deming, I
llller shy on cartridges! Lucky w
! MI worryin' about tibet sort Of I
4 NO.
Probably plenty aboard some
NE" said Carlson, "but ! don
~ where they are. You boys hay'
me beaten on rifles and shotguns,
went on, producing from his hi
eAet a fiat, effective-looklng auto
lie pistol Of heavy caliber. "HoS
- you on small arms?"
ne hunters shook their heads dub
Never use EN-" said Demins
eyer could do much with that KNIT
phow. Give me q revolver, an
II make out to hit a whale, II h
close enough, but not with one I
I'M
Not much difference" said Car
"Any Of you got revolversr
y one spoke. It was against tn
KFitten laws Of a vessel for pisto
II owned forward Of the mai
a. Beale finally answered tor II
Nary a pistol, sir"
Then said Carlson, I'll give "
exhibition myself. Any bottl'
Beale, Will you toss them 4
NE were eight shots in the art
M and Carlson smashed sevt
~ h midair. The hunters shou
Mi appreciation.
leak all Of 'emr Lund ask
IN. "Enny bottles left at allv
} walked toward the taffrail, q
ing Carlson.
"A You shoot by sound as well
Nit, Docr he challenged.
lAncy not" said Carlson.
| had my eyes I'd snapshot
y hundred bucks" said Lund. :
l might target one Or ~
Nv, have some one run III
tAiGl, al, tx a bottle on 1t, v
INIT got a gun o my on
Ne continued, twill you lend
py Carlson filed his Clip .
~ turned toward Rainey. VINO v
ns the target.
4 want you to tap It WIN
IA he said. Signalling stann
Iluey rot the slender bamboo :
by. Lund felt fof he g
Ri fnssrs over the ssapsnt
I'M Stepped a AZ - e |.
autsaade y si = !