It was a clear day, the air just bracing enough to put the cadets of Colby Hall in good spirits. When the time came for the contest nearly all of them hurried to the range.
“Now then, Lest, show ’em what you can do!” cried Paul Halliday.
“The Rovers won’t have a look-in!” broke out Billy Sands. “It will be a regular walk-away for Lest.”
“Don’t be so sure of that,” answered Gif.
“Brassy may be all right enough with a pistol; but don’t forget that Jack and Fred know how to handle a rifle,” added Spouter.
A coin was tossed up and it was thereby decided that the contest with pistols should take place first. Each contestant was to shoot three times, the rings on the target counting from 1 to 5. The three contestants were to shoot in rotation, Fred first, Brassy second, and Jack last.
If Fred was a trifle nervous when he went to the front to shoot, he did his best to control it. Taking as careful aim as possible, he fired.
“A three!”
“That’s good enough for a starter!”
With a self-satisfied look on his face, Brassy Bangs strode forward, took quick aim, and fired.