THE CHALLENGE RIFLE MATCH.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2735, 22 November 1871, Page 2

THE CHALLENGE RIFLE MATCH.

Yesterday, We continue our report of the shooting. Proceeding to the next range, Christie,'for his first sighting-shot, scored a bulls-eye- a fine shot, fairly in the centre, Walker’s shot; was an outer, and Well out tor ; and in the second shot both obtained centres. The shooting at this range at the commencement showed a falling off, Christie leading off with a brace of centres, while Walker followed with a couple of outers, whereat many rejoiced ; but as he in his thud shot scored a bulls-eye to his opponent’s centre, the re.joiemg slackened, until the last three shots, when Christie by three well-placed bullseyes, two of them being dead centres, headed his opponent by three points on the range,| reducing Walker’s majority to 10 points. Christie’s last two shots raised an iuvolun-; tary cheer from the crowd, which by this time must have been numbering fully 600 persons. 800 Yards. Christie ... 3332443444-34 Walker ... ... ... 2243444323- 31 At the next range the excitement grew apace. Christie led off with a bulls-eye, which being signalled evoked a hearty cheer; Walker led off with a miss, and in his second shot only scored a centre, very high, while his opponent amid ringing cheers scored a brace of bulls-eyes in succession. In this he was followed by Walker, who, amid increased cheering, registered two bubs-eyes, the last being a splendid shot, dead in the centre. For a couple of shots, Walker’s chances brightened as he kept increasing his majority ; but unfortunately at his eighth shot he scored a miss for the second time, through imperfect loading. Walker’s ill luck appeared to give some of the crowd great satisfaction, which was openly exposed; but .the more thoughtful of those present checked the unseemly exhibition as far as they were able, Christie’s last two shots being bull’s eyes, while Walker only secured centres, the scores at the finish of the range showed Christie eight points td the better, and Walker only two points iff advance. 900 yards. Christie ... ... 4444323444 —36 Walker ' ... 0344434033—28

At a little after live o’clock the men 'moved to the last range, 1000 yards. The wind wai still from the north, and very puffy, blowing strongly at times. The light, too, was veryuncertain—the target at times being so much shaded as to be imperfectly visible to the naked eye. The position of the men was so close that Christie’s backers and friends hoped, and for a little time with good reason, that ho would be enabled to pull off the match. The excitement, which had beep very keen at the two preceding ranges, was now most intense—as shot after shot was fired the interest increased, until towards the finish the closing shots were fired amidst almost breathless impatience. In tbe first sighting shot, each man made a centre, and in the second each a miss. Then the range shooting began, Christie leading off with a bull's-eye, well placed—the signal from thje butts raising a hearty cheer, and many cries of “ Bravo! Christie.” It was now Walker’p turn, and as he proceeded to fire it was noticeable that he took extreme care in making his arrangements. There was not that rapidity in his movements that was noticeable in Christie’s; he was more"calculating, and, we will say, equally cool to all appearance. Away went the bullet—eyes were strained through every instrument that bore tbe semblance of a glass, from the large, unwieldy telescope to the smallest opera-glass; and when the possessors of the former, who could tell the result of each shot long before it was announced from the butts, gave it as only a centre, there was more cheering, for Walker’s majority was reduced by one Thei Christie fired his second shot, a centre, rather wide, but of good elevation; and Walker followed, scoring a similar number. So with the next shot, but in the fourth, when Christie again made a centre, Walker only scored an outer, and a bare one too. This brought the men level; and was the signal for loud cheering. The betting, which from the finish of the last range, had been, if anything, slightly in Christie’s favor, was now openly so. Christie’s fifth shot WiS a centre, while Walker scored a bull’seye, at which an encouraging cheer was given which again mnde him one point in advance. Then Christie only scored an outer, while his opponent registered a centre, so the majority was increased to two. Yet Christie’s friends were confident that he would in ke up bis deficiency in his remaining shots ; and as he fired each time the loud cries of “ Bravo Christie,” Christie wins,” or “ it’s a bull’s-eye,” before the shot had struck, and sometimes even before

it was fired, showed that “ the wish was father to the thought.” At the seventh and eighth shots each man made centres. There were now only two shots to go, and in them Christie must make buli’s-eyes, to Walker’? outers or misses, as some uncharitable pebplo seemed to think the latter must make to enable him to win. Of course, such a result was highly improbable to siy the least of it, but many fondly believed it to be a possibility. The Fates, however, were against their man, who, by some unaccountable means made a miss- his first mbs during the match. There was a general feeling of regret—what a contrast to the feeling when Walker made his misses?—and all hope in Christie died out. Wtiker was four points ahead, and it was folly to think he could then make a miss. Christie fired his last shot for a centre, and Walker fired—this time all ears were strained, atid there came the clear ringing sound which accompanies the bull’s-eye shot. Up went the red and white flag, and amidst loud cheering Walker was proclaimed the winner by five points, , 1000 yards. Christie ••• 4333323303—27 Walker 3332433324-30 Aggregate Scores. Walker ... ... ... ... 310 Christie ... ... ... ... 305

Thus terminated the greatest rifle match ever fired iu the Province, and for excellence of shooting, it has net been equalled in the Colony. Walker carries off the stakes, but there will remain here in the minds of many, a belief that he is not the better man. It is and will be argued by Christie’s friends that his opponent had it too much his own way, especial y in the.matter of the mounds, Ac., and Walker, on the other hand, complains of the way in which he was treated. We will not venture to express an opinion either way; but w< cannot help saying that Christ e is entitled* to the highest praise* for .the plucky manner in which he carried on the, contest. . It is admitted, we believe, that be is but a novice in the use of the small-bore, while Walker has made it his speciality. For our own parts, we would have fished, for the credit of the Province, that Christie l bad wou j .and we must ccjnsol; ourselves with the reflection that it is a very honorable defeat. We have heard it stated that, at the conclusion of ,the, ipatch Walker, offered to again compete with Christie fori LIOOO a-side, but that the latter declined,! It, was understood that the preliminaries for a second match for a lesser sum has been but, we cannot learn whether or not tliere is any likelihood of its eoming off.| Both men are to be entertained 1 at dinhOr this evening. , ■