“Can’t shoot without a gun,” replied John.
“No, you cannot; but the rifle is not yours.”
“Give it me, and I’ll shoot everything for dinner,” replied John.
“I think you had better do so, father,” said Henry, in a low voice; “the temptation will be too strong.”
“You are right, Henry,” replied Mr Campbell, aside. “Now, John, I will give you the rifle, if you will promise me to ask leave when you want to go, and always come back at the time you have promised.”
“I’ll always tell when I go, if mamma will always let me go, and I’ll always come back when I promise, if I’ve killed.”
“He means, sir, that if he is on the track when his leave is out, that he must follow it; but as soon as he has either lost his game, or killed it, he will then come home. That’s the feeling of a true hunter, sir, and you must not baulk it.”
“Very true; well then, John, recollect that you promise.”
“Martin,” said Percival, “when are you to teach me to fire the rifle?”
“Oh, very soon now, sir; but the soldiers are gone, and as soon as you can hit the mark, you shall go out with Mr Alfred or me.”