A DISCRIMINATING SHOT.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume V, Issue 40, 4 October 1890, Page 19

A DISCRIMINATING SHOT.

The following story is told of a couple of Western sportsmen. Their names were Hoffman and Cowan, and both were excellent shots, and not a little given to boasting of their skill. One day they went on a deer-hunting expedition, and after getting into the woods where they expected to find deer, they separated. Shortly after Hoffman heard Cowan’s gun tired off, when he immediately went over to the spot expecting to be obliged to help Cowan to hang up a deer. He found Cowan very busy loading his gun, and shouted out: ‘ Hallo, Cowan ! What did you shoot at just now ?’ ‘ None o’ your business ! Go along over the hill !’ Surprised at this short and crusty answer, Hoffman looked around and discovered a calf among the bushes. Again he cried out : ‘ 1 say, Cowan, did you shoot at that calf ?’ ‘ Yes, I did ; but it s none o’ your business !’ ‘ What made you shoot at it ?’ ‘ I took it for a deer.’ ‘ Well, did you hit it ?’ ‘ No—l missed it !’ ‘ How did you miss it’:’ ‘ 1 wasn’t quite sure that it wasn’t a calf.’ ‘You are a pretty' sportsman,’ rejoined Hoffman, ‘to shoot at a calf tor a deer, and miss it at that !’ ‘ Don’t make an ass of yourself,’ replied Cowan. ‘ I shot at it just so as to hit it if it was a deer ami miss it if it was a calf '.’