KENTUCKY SPORTS. 293 



a iiail is a common feat, not more thought off by the Kentuckians than 

 to cut off a wild turkey's head, at a distance of a hundred yards. Others 

 will baric off squirrels one after another, until satisfied with the number 

 procured. Some, less intent on destroying game, may be seen under 

 night snuffing a candle at the distance of fifty yards, oflp-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 i 



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 ob- 

 servation, leaving you to judge how far rifle-shooting is understood in 

 that State. 



Several individuals who conceive themselves expert in the manage- 

 ment of the gun, are often seen to meet for the purpose 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 any distance within a hundred yards. A 

 shot which comes very close to the nail is considered as that of an indif- 

 ferent marksman ; the bending of the nail is, of course, somewhat better ; 

 but nothing less than hitting it right on the head is satisfactory. Well, 

 kind reader, one out of three shots generally hits the nail, and should the 

 shooters amount to half a dozen, two nails are frequently needed before 

 each can have a shot. Those who drive the nail have a further trial 

 amongst themselves, and the two best shots out of these generally settle 

 the affair, when all the sportsmen adjourn to some house, and spend an 

 hour or two in friendly intercourse, appointing, before they part, a day for 

 another trial. This is technically termed Driving the Nail. 



Barking off squirrels is delightful sport, and in my opinion requires a 

 greater degree of accuracy than any other. I first witnessed this manner 

 of procuring squirrels, whilst near the town of Frankfort. The performer 

 was the celebrated Daniel Boon. We walked out together, and fol- 

 lowed the rocky margins of the Kentucky River, until we reached a piece 

 of flat land thickly covered with black walnuts, oaks and hickories. As 



