“You shoot first, and if you miss I’ll take him,” directed Jack in a whisper, wishing to give his chum the first chance.
Fixing his eyes on the ram, Nat brought forward his gun, cocked it, and aimed. Then for some unaccountable reason his hand began to tremble. It was his first shot at big game, and he was nervous.
“I—I can’t shoot,” he whispered, lowering his rifle.
“Nonsense! You’ve got to,” said Jack sternly, and this brought Nat to himself. Once more he raised his weapon. Jack was in readiness with his in case his chum should miss.
There was a moment of breathless suspense, and then Nat fired. Instantly the ram wheeled about and stood facing the spot where the two lads were. He must have seen them, for the floating cloud of smoke drew his gaze.
“I’ve missed! You fire!” exclaimed Nat.
And, indeed, he had missed the ram cleanly. Jack threw his gun to his shoulder, and instantly it cracked out.
“You hit him! I saw him jump!” cried Nat excitedly. “Come on! We’ll get him!”
Without a word Jack pumped another cartridge into the chamber, and fired again. But just as he did so the ram gave a leap and disappeared from the rock.