AN EXCELLENT MARKSMAN.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VII, Issue 352, 22 April 1897, Page 7

AN EXCELLENT MARKSMAN.

“ The most expensive shot I ever made was in the mountains in a Western state,” remarked an amateur Nimrod, who has about a dozen guns and rifles and half a dozen dogs, not to speak of hunting suits innumerable and divers sporting paraphernalia, according to the Detroit Free Press. “I was after wild turkey in a gulch where it was said a gang of nine or ten had their rendezvous. I was prowling through a thicket when I heard ’em. There they were all together eating something. Whatever they were feeding on, it brought their necks all in a bunch, and my heart bounded with exultation. I took careful aim at those necks and let fly with both barrels from my shotgun. Well, sir, it knocked every one over, so closely had they been standing together. I confess it was like pot-hunting, and that I ought to have flushed ’em first. I went forward to get my game. “ Suddenly I heard a voice. “ ‘ Hey you, thar ! ’ “ I looked up and there was one of the long, old-fashioned, muzzle-loading rifles pointed straight at me. “ ‘ Did you kill them gobblers ? ’ “ ‘ Yes, all at one shot too.” “ ‘Well you fork out 2dol apiece. Them’s my tame turkeys. My cabin’s over thar. See it? Them birds were feeding out of a trough, eating corn I put thar for ’em. Do you pay or —’

“ ‘ I pay.’ “ And I did. It was a lOdol shot. The greasy, ragged hill-dweller and apology for a farmer chuckled when he took the money. “ ‘ I s’pose ye don’t want the birds ?’ “ ‘ Yes, I do,’ I answered, testily. “ ‘ Wai, the folks to hum can tell the difference ’tween tame and wild birds, I cal’late.’ “ ‘ Oh, keep ’em,’ I said, angrily. “So he took them to his cabin, and as I departed he yelled out . “ ‘ Say, stranger, there’s some of my geese back thar ye might try yer hand at. That thar was a great shot of your’n. Five to onst! Ho ! ho!’ ”