But the head of the coin fell downward, and Badger, taking the gun given him, walked out to the line and faced the traps.
"We will have no signaling," he said, turning round and facing Merriwell's crowd. "As we step up here, let the traps be sprung, and we'll shoot at the birds, whether ready or not."
He was supremely confident in his own abilities.
"All right. Any way to suit you. Go ahead!"
Before Badger could turn back, he heard the sound made by the traps springing. Two birds shot out, one toward the right and the other straight away.
Bang! bang! Badger wheeled and fired quickly, and made a clean kill of both birds. There was a skirmish fire of clapping hands in the circle of his admirers.
"Fine work!" Merriwell admitted, as he stepped into place with Bart's gun.
He stood with his gun down until the birds were hurled from the traps, then, with a couple of quick snapshots, smashed them to pieces.
"Whoop-e-ee-ee!" squealed Danny Griswold, turning a handspring. "This soft snap can shoot a little!"
Again the Westerner made a clean kill of two birds. Frank followed him and did the same.