18, EARLY HISTORY OF SETTLERS 
heavy charge of buck shot, he approached Mr. S——, who inquir- 
ed what luck he had met with. He replied, that there was plenty 
of game, but his fowling piece was so weak in the breech, that 
she would scarcely kill. | For instance, said he, “I will bet you 
the liquor, you cannot make that horse look up, or even wink, by 
shooting at him from here. “ Done,” said Mr. S— --, Give me 
the gun;” whereupon the gun was handed to him, and after tak- 
ing good aim, he fired. It made a terrific report, the recoil of 
_the gun sending him to the right about; the horse ran a short 
distance, and dropped dead. Mr. G—— said,“ You have won 
the liquor, I will pay for the whiskey, and you pay for the horse.” 
This story can be vouched for by many residents, and the owner 
of the horse, Mr. Thomas Hall. 
There was a certain class among the old settlers of Bowmanville 
that had a keen relish for fun. Some of them had such a high ap- 
preciation of a good joke, that they considered it one of the best 
of human attributes to be able to take a joke, as well as to give it. 
On one occasion, a choice lot of these spirits met in the old dis- 
tillery to discuss passing events, and to while away a few fleeting 
hours in convivial pleasantries. One of their associates, Mr. G., 
was absent that evening, having gone down the creek to spear 
salmon. It was a usual thing at those primitive gatherings, to 
wind up the evening’s doings with a collation of some kind, im- 
provised for the occasion ; in consequence of which, dark hints 
had been frequently thrown out about hen-roosts being denuded, 
and duck-pens visited ; but whether there was any truthful foun- 
dations for these insinuations, will now, most likely, ever remain 
doubtful ; but there is not the slightest doubt that, if poultry of 
any kind had ever found their way in there, the red-hot furnace 
afforded one of the most commodious and expeditious places 
known for cooking them. On this occasion, some of the parties 
present conceived the idea that, as Mr. G—— was the owner of 
a very fine gobbler, it should, for the present, be sacrificed to ap- 
pease the cravings of appetite ; and, in order not to steal it, they 
concluded to take the turkey, have it cooked, and then invite Mr. 
G-—— to help them eat it, as he would most likely be very hun- 
gry after fishing. About midnight, he returned, and was agree- 
