Popular Amusements. 181 



many of the balls. Another and another shoots with 

 pretty similar results ; and though an occasional man 

 may grudge the dead loss of the sixpence he has paid 

 for the right to shoot, and talk as if something must 

 be out of joint because he has got no nearer the centre, 

 yet they know it is all in a good cause and they will 

 " go in " for another " chance." And, clearly enough, 

 if the shooting were more exact or certain the thing 

 would be over in an hour or less ; whereas they can 

 spend a whole day upon it with no likelihood of more 

 than one or two marksmen getting close to the bull's 

 eye ; as in point of fact, was a common result of the 

 Wad Sheetin', which nevertheless afforded quite as 

 much interest and enjoyment while it lasted as does 

 the best rifle competition of the present day ; in addi- 

 tion to furnishing an engrossing subject of talk in the 

 hamlet and farmhouse in the days that went before 

 and after the great contest. 



