To take aim with a rifle.
1841. I made several attempts to get near enough to “draw a bead” upon one of them [praire dogs]; and just before I was ready to fire (and as if they knew the utmost limits of their safety), they sprang down into their holes.—Catlin, ‘North American Indians’ (1844), i. 77. (N.E.D.)
1844. To “draw a bead” upon a Mayor or President, is far from unfrequent, and will become quite fashionable when the amiable and salutary plea of insanity shall be established upon a firmer basis.—Watmough, ‘Scribblings and Sketches,’ p. 180 (Phila.).
1851. I drew a bead on an old wolf, and let him have it just behind the left fore leg; he gave one short breath, and it was the last act of his life.—M. L. Byrn, ‘An Arkansaw Doctor,’ p. 113.
1854. A double-barrelled spy-glass … levelled at him by a man at the head of the table, who stood up to draw a bead on him.—J. G. Baldwin, ‘Flush Times,’ p. 188.
1856. An armed man, armed to the teeth, with gun and pistol, and with the bead drawn upon every enemy present.—W. G. Simms, ‘Eutaw,’ p. 32 (N.Y.).
1856. It is now six weeks since I drew the bead on you. Your shot struck me on the collar-bone and slivered it as if it had been paper.—Knick. Mag., xlviii. 135 (Aug.).
1861. One big man, in a fur coat, who was sitting near me, said, “Well, darn me if I wouldn’t draw a bead on Old Abe, Seward—aye, or General Scott himself, though I’ve got a perty good thing out of them, if they due try to use their soldiers and sailors to beat down States’ Rights. If they want to go they’ve a right to go.”—W. H. Russell, ‘My Diary, North and South,’ April 12.
1861. A sentry on the end of a wooden jetty sung out, “Hallo you there! Stand off or I’ll fire,” and “drew a bead-line on us.”—Id., May 16.
1869. He did not fire, however, but told Steel to pass, which he did in safety, with a “dead bead” drawn on him until he was out of range.—A. K. McClure, ‘Rocky Mountains,’ p. 81.
1878. “If Bob Rock draws a bead on him, he’s gone,” was the general verdict.—J. H. Beadle, ‘Western Wilds,’ p. 415.
