44 WILD SPORTS IN THE SOUTH. 



again, when Stockton, after a long and deliberate aim, discharged 

 his piece. The eye immediately disappeared, and he turned 

 toward me, triumphantly nodding his head and exclaiming — 



" ' He '11 not show that infernal eye of his again, I guess, for 

 I put that ball square into it.' 



" I made no reply, but the term * infernal eye * seemed to me 

 to be very appropriate. I had now placed the 'pan' upon the 

 ground, and was arranging the fire, when Stockton uttered a sup- 

 pressed exclamation of surprise and disappointment, which caused 

 me to look up. Down went the fire, gun, and everything else ; 

 my mouth gradually opened until my dinner was perceptible, and 

 I felt satisfied, from the progress my hair was making, that I 

 should soon be relieved of my hat, for there was that little ball of 

 fire moving very slowly with the same singular motions of the 

 others. 



" ' Stockton,' whispered I, as soon as my feelings would permit 

 me, ' we are a set of jackasses, for as certain as fate, we have been 

 chasing the devil to-night.' 



"He turned toward me with a half comical, half inquisitive 

 look, and finally remarked — 



"'Well, hang me if you're not complimentary, very. No, 

 that is not the devil, but I am very well satisfied the devil is in 

 me. Here, take this rifle, and when he again shows his eye do 

 you let him have it I '11 hold the light.' 



" I could not refuse, and so I took the gun, and was slowly 

 and reluctantly raising it to my shoulder, when a noise behind me 

 attracted my attention, and looking around, I perceived Jake con- 

 ducting in a most discreditable manner, twisting and squirming 

 and holding on to his stomach as if he had the colic, and all the 

 while making a noise like choking. 



"'I wish you would be kind enough to stop that infernal 

 clatter!' said Stockton sharply, and adding immediately, 'There 

 he is — now give it to him — right in the eye.' 



" I was again raising the rifle to my shoulder, but was a second 

 time deterred from my purpose by a peal or yell of laughter, from 

 Jake, sufficient to have frightened every deer within ten miles of 

 us. For Stockton and myself, however, there was no such thing 



