AUDUBON AND BOOXE. 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 wa^ wrested 

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

 our attention to the sports stUl 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 naU 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 skUl, and betting a tr iflin g 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 



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