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- SOME SHOOTING -
DEAR "John,"--I would like to tell you
of a little shooting affair which hap-
pened at a soak out here in the first
years of settlement. There were new
arrivals each week, and kangaroos were
here in plenty, and we liked a bit of
steak. It was a change from the tin
stuff.
I recall one new camper in 1911. He
was a journalist and probably is now.
I had my Winchester 0.44 and had shot
a 'roo on the way out when we reached
the camp and introduced ourselves. My
rifle was examined and favourably com-
mented on. The newcomer said: "I have
an 0.44. It is an old model, but I can't
hit a tree with it, let alone a 'roo,
though plenty come to the water nearby."
I tried the gun and found it was very
indifferent, and suggested the sawing off
of an inch of barrel, as it was very much
worn. Later, at a Iocal gathering, my
friend was talking about that nice fresh
meat he was having. I said: "What, with
the same rifle? Did you get it sawn as
we said?"
His reply was typical of our Austra-
lians. He said that the 'roos came that
close to him that he had to pull the
rifle back to get a shot.
STRINGYBARK.
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