"I don't see how."
"Doesn't he employ you and pay you wages?"
"Yes, but don't I earn my wages by good work?"
"Really, my good fellow, I can't say. I presume you do passably well, or he wouldn't keep you in his employ."
"Then it seems to me we are even on that score. However, I didn't come here to talk about myself."
Here there was a sudden diversion.
"Look, James! See that bird!" exclaimed Tom, in excitement.
The other two boys looked in the direction indicated, and saw a hawk flying swiftly, perhaps two hundred feet above them. The three simultaneously raised their guns, and Tom and James fired. But Mark, upon second thought reserved his fire, in order to give his two companions a chance.
Their guns were discharged, but in vain. The bird flew on, apparently unconcerned, considerably to their disappointment.
"Now it is my turn!" reflected Mark.