you’ll never get a true aim with it again: and more than that, let me tell you, if the charm was laid according to the rules of art, you’ll have no better luck with any other gun you take in hand.”
William shuddered, and would have urged some objection against the credibility of witchcraft; but the stranger offered to bring the question to a simple test. “To old soldiers, the like of me,” said he, “there’s nothing at all surprising in it. Bless your soul; I could tell you stories stranger by half, from this time to midnight. How do you think the sharp-shooters would come on, that must venture here there and every where, and must pick off their man from the very heart of the thickest smoke, where it’s clean impossible to see him, how must they come on, I would be glad to know, if they understood no other trick than just aim and let fire? Now here, for instance, is a ball that cannot fail to go true, because it’s a gifted ball, and is proof against all the arts of darkness. Just try it now: just give it a trial: I’ll answer for it, you’ll not find it deceive you, I’ll be surety for it.”
