“Do you know about Jim Smiley, the old miner from Frogtown?” the stranger inquired. “Well, he was the most notorious gambler and best frog jumper in the whole county. One day, a fellow showed up with what he claimed to be the best jumping frog in the state, and it jumped four feet high. Smiley’s frog, Dan’l Webster, could beat any other frog in Calaveras County, but was it good enough to beat this newcomer?
As the contest drew closer, Smiley was unusually silent and didn't mention Dan'l Webster as he usually did. At the local bar, Smiley kept to himself and wouldn't bet against the newcomer. The betting was in full swing, with the newcomer's frog the clear favorite.
The morning of the competition arrived, and people gathered around the jumping platform. The newcomer put his frog on the platform, and it made a leap of five feet. Everyone cheered and praised the frog. It was Dan’l Webster’s turn. Smiley took his frog out and placed him on the board, and he jumped just a few inches! Then, he jumped again, reaching only a foot or so. Smiley scratched his head and said: ‘This here is mighty curious, but I ‘spect there ain’t nothin’ the matter with him. He’s always like that when he’s got on his fighting clothes.’
The stranger was worried as he noticed something off about Dan'l Webster's mouth. Then, suddenly, Dan'l Webster leapt and soared through the air, clearing six feet and landing with a triumphant flip. The crowd cheered wildly, and Smiley collected a pile of money.
Later, the stranger discovered how Smiley pulled it off. He placed birdshot inside Dan'l Webster's mouth, which made him jump to spit it out. Smiley, being the wise gambler that he was, played the whole town by pretending his frog wasn’t in peak condition. And that's the story of Smiley's frog, the celebrated jumper of Calaveras County.”