"I congratulate you on your success," said James, unpleasantly. "I suppose this is the first bird you ever shot?"
"Oh, no!" answered Mark smilingly. "I have shot a few before now."
"A fly lit on my nose just when I was pulling the trigger, or I should have brought him down."
"That was lucky for me," said Mark.
"Come, Tom," said James, drawing his companion away to the left. "We'd better separate, or we shall all be shooting at the same object."
"Good luck to you then!" said Mark, as the two left him.
"Thanks!" said Tom, but James deigned no notice of Mark's civility.
CHAPTER II.
THE HERMIT'S CABIN.
Mark smiled to himself as the boys left him.