“Not bad, lad,” said Barringford. “Be a leetle more careful the next time and you’ll make it a 5.”
When Dave’s turn came again he did make it a 5. This was followed by another 4—giving him a total of 13 points out of a possible 15 points.
The best shots of the company took their turns last, among them Raymond and Barringford. Each of these scored 15 points, and so did two other old riflemen. Two scores of 14 were made, three of 13, including Dave’s, and the others ranged from 12 down to 6.
“Thirteen isn’t bad, Dave,” said Barringford encouragingly. “There are twice as many that are worse than those that are better.”
“Henry could do better,” answered Dave. “But then he’s a natural-born marksman and I am not.”
Much interest was displayed in the shooting-off of the tie between the four who had made a full 15 points. The target was placed at twice the distance it had before been and each man was allowed two shots.
Raymond was the first to shoot and scored a 4. He was followed by a sharpshooter named Russell, who also made a 4; and then came an old hunter named Bauermann, who made a 3.
“Now, Sam, you must make a bull’s-eye,” whispered Dave, and the old frontiersman did so, hitting the target squarely in the center.
It was now Raymond’s turn to try his second and last shot, and he took it with great care, making a 5, giving him a total of 9. Then came Russell with a 2, and Bauermann with a 4.
“Now, Sam, another bull’s-eye,” cried Dave, who was more excited than was the old frontiersman.