"But it will tumble down every time it is hit."
"Hans will stand near and pick it up again," Mr. Allnutt said.
"It had better be fixed," the Boer remarked. "There is a little crack in the rock, a nail driven through the tin would hold it there. It is better to do the thing properly."
Dirck laughed. "By all means do it properly, though I cannot see why we should trouble about such a farce as this."
Mr. Allnutt paid no attention to this speech, but said, "Go and take a hammer, Hans, and a good-sized nail, and cut the bottom out of another tin and bring that here too. If three or four holes are made, the question may arise as to which is the last."
The lad ran off.
"Now, Mr. Van Laun, while he is away we may as well arrange as to how they had better shoot—how many shots each shall fire, whether they shall shoot alternately, or one fire his shots at one of the pieces of tin, and then the other take the new target. I think that will be the best, then no dispute can arise."
"I agree with you. How many times shall each fire?"
After discussion it was agreed that each should fire ten shots.
"Now, it will be fair," the Boer said, "to toss up for who shall fire first. What do you say? Heads shall mean Dirck, tails your lad."