A POWERFUL SHOT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 16, 10 May 1876, Page 2

A POWERFUL SHOT.

Jim Skye was <i good shot. He could fetch a 'possum a few yards off; and many's the time Jim went out for a bit of " splodin'," ;is he termed it. Some of his mates occasionally took rises out of him concerning dogs he borrowed and forgofe to return. Jim scorned such insinuations, and upon starting to do same 'possuming he went down to the atore and borrowed the old red watch-dog, which was short of one eye an I inclined to be considerably blind in ilu olher. It was in vain that old Sp.y-nes told Jim that his " dawg had nary a'find in him, and was sort o : useless on a 'possum hunt; : ' but Jim guessed he'd soon larn him. So they started, the old red pretty close to Jim's heels, looking as like dreaming as possible. The red knew Jim, and often followed him, Jiu; skooted round the 'possum holeSj and paid great attention to all moves ; while the old red evidently " felt a sorter interest m the proceeding," as Jim afterwards related. The appearances engrossed the mind of Jim to such an extent that he paid no attention to the movements of the red. Presently Jim heard a kinder rustlin' in the brake and cocked his ears and his piece simultaneously. Jim's conversation to himself ran thus, " Seems to me sumfin's larkin roun' there, sure's I'm ugly," and so there was. "Guess I'll'spicule ; reckon there's no 'por-sum theyali." Jim ivatched and listened. " rs"o mistake 'bout that there movement." He kept his eye on that small bit of brake. s; Guess won't do to fool roun' long," so lie blamed into the brake, and the reply was a remarkable howl. Jim's exclamation, ' : Jeeruma3elum ! that there ain't no'possum sound," followed, and he-went to fetcli his game. Poor red ; no more would he bark at the

store. Jim retired homewards, '• sad an mournful. He,topk some time; an. account; .of poor red's :-uritiriiely end arid as lie so I'gjve'it. " Jua reached the groiuid,^when ble--red 'gaht point.. Guess lie lifted his taiLand looks as-'thoughtful-as a clockin'lien. What' that, Red," says J ; " and he kinderlooke 'possum, and sure 'nough,"says-I, "that'i so, the tarnal msec' had just cqnie down t< carry water home for the day when. olere< went for him and. fetched him, .under tin left ear. 'Reckon that., 'possiinr was jusj 'bout pretty old, and twice as big as Ret), Fust Red was down on the 'possum, thes the 'possum was on Red ; it was nip and tuck whether Red or 'possum licked. Red lost his grip and the . old un collared" him by the jaw ; then I kinder felt that Red had second best prmcipally, and I oughtet give him a show. I got on the safe~ side and sorter took a sight for the insec's eat (here Jim had -worked"himself up to such a state of excitement; that everyone took his version of the affair as correct), then I 'splodecl and denied; though I daresay yon won't b'leeve it, I Mowed that aiiimilej head straight off, and the force of thai there head knocked poor old Red's heai! off." One of the boys remarked, "Guess I'd like to see that, 'possum-skin ;W and Jim smiled scornfully, and inquired; "D'ye think a feller'd Have the heart to look 'bout that 'possum after wipin' out] ole Red." Jim has gone without a dog since.