stipulated that the winner should escort him to the

nearest settlement eastward, after which he might return

with the rifle on his shoulder.

Accordingly, a long level piece of ground on the

river's bank, with a perpendicular cliff at the end of

it, was selected as the shooting-ground, and, on the

appointed day, at the appointed hour, the competitors

began to assemble.

"Well, lad, first as usual," exclaimed Joe Blunt, as he

reached the ground and found Dick Varley there before