Frank was standing with his rifle half lifted, the side of the stock pressing against his hip. He had silently cocked it, and now, without lifting it to his shoulder, he fired.
Both the city sportsmen uttered cries of alarm and jumped away.
“Good gwacious!” fluttered Gates. “Did it go awf by accident?”
“No,” laughed Frank. “I fired at that spot on the board.”
“But you didn’t take aim, thir!” palpitated Elmer.
“I didn’t take the rifle to my shoulder, as it was not necessary at this distance. That I hit the board is certain, for it has fallen down. I think you will find I struck the spot with my bullet. We will go and see.”
When they picked up the board, Frank showed them that the bullet had pierced the black mark very near the center. For some moments both city lads were overcome with astonishment, and then Archie said:
“It must have been an accident. Of course, you could nawt do it again, thir.”
“I think I could,” smiled Merry, coolly.
“Well, weally you must have a most wemarkable gun, don’t yer ’now. I think I will twy it.”