To drive the nail hard and fast into the wood at one hundred yards was a feat seldom accomplished.

By many hunters it was deemed more difficult than "snuffing the candle," another border pastime, which consisted of placing in the dark at any distance a lighted candle, and then putting out the flame with a single rifle ball.

Many settlers, particularly those who handled the plow more than the rifle, sighted from a rest, and placed a piece of moss under the rife-barrel to prevent its spring at the discharge.
The match began.

Of the first six shooters Jonathan Zane and Alfred Clarke scored the best shots.

Each placed a bullet in the half-inch circle round the nail.
"Alfred, very good, indeed," said Col.Zane.