AUDUBON AND BOONE. 177 



among the different parties of White and Red men, as the 

 former moved down the Ohio ; because I have never been 

 very fond of battles, and indeed have always wished that the 

 world were more peaceably inclined than it is ; and shall 

 merely add, that, in one way or other, Kentucky was wrested 

 from the original owners of the soil. Let us, therefore, turn 

 our attention to the sports still enjoyed in that now happy por- 

 tion of the United States. 



We have individuals in Kentucky, kind reader, that even 

 there are considered wonderful adepts in the management of 

 the rifle. To drive a nail is a common feat, not more thought 

 of by the Kentuckians than to cut off a wild turkey's head, 

 at a distance of a hundred yards. Others will bark off squir- 

 rels one after another, until satisfied with the number pro- 

 cured. Some, less intent on destroying game, may be seen 

 under night snuffing a candle at the distance of fifty yards, 

 off-hand, without extinguishing it. I have been told that 

 some have proved so expert and cool, as to make choice of 

 the eye of a foe at a wonderful distance, boasting beforehand 

 of the sureness of their piece, which has afterwards been fully 

 proved when the enemy's head has been examined ! 



Having resided some years in Kentucky, and having more 

 than once been witness of rifle sport, I shall present you with 

 the results of my observation, leaving you to judge how far 

 rifle-shooting is understood in that State. 



Several individuals who conceive themselves expert in the 

 management of the gun, are often seen to meet for the pur- 

 pose of displaying their skill, and betting a trifling sum, put 

 up a target, in the centre of which a common-sized nail is 

 hammered for about two-thirds of its length. The marksmen 

 make choice of what they consider a proper distance, which 

 may be forty paces. Each man cleans the interior of his 

 tube, which is called wiping it, places a ball in the palm of 

 his hand, pouring as much powder from his horn upon it as 



will cover it. This quantity is supposed to be sufficient for 



12 



