Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-09

machines and pier-heads, below the grassy
slopes of Fort Keeling. The tide ran out
nearly two miles on that coast, and the
many-colored mud-banks, touched by the
sun, sent up a lamentable smell Of dead
weed. 1t was late in the afternoon when
Dick and Maisie arrived on their ground,
Amomma trotting patiently behind.
''Mf % said Naisie, shifting the air. II
wonder what makes the sea so smelly.
don't like ii"
"You never like anything that isn't made
Just for you," said Dick, bluntly. Give
me the cartridges, and I'll try first shot
How far does one of these little reyolyers
carry?"
"Oh, half mile" said Maisie, promptly.
"At least it makes an awful noise. Be
careful with the cartridges; I don't like
those Jagged stick-up things on the rim.
Dick, do be careful"
"All right. know how to load. I'll
fire at the breakwater out there"
He fired, and Amomma ran away bleat-
ing. The bullet threw up a squirt of mud
to the right of the weed-wreathed piles.
Throws high and to the right. You try,
Maisie. Mind, it's loaded all round"
Maisie took the pistol and stepped deli
cately to the verge OF the mud, her hand
firmly closed on the butt, her left eye and
mouth screwed up. Dick sat down on
tuft of bank and laughed. Amomms re-
turned very cautiously. He was accustomed
to strange experiences in his afternoon
walks, and, finding the cartridge-box un-
guarded, made Investigations with his nose.
Maisie fired, but could not see where the
bullet went.
81 think it hit the post, she said, shad-
ing her eyes and looking out across the sail
less sea.
81 know it has gone out to the Marizion
Bell Buoy" said Dick, with a chuckle.
Fire low and to the left; then perhaps
you'll get it. Oh, look at AmOmmal-he'S
eating the cartridges!'
Maisie turned the revolver in her hand
just in time to see Amomma scampering
away from the pebbles Dick threw after him.
Nothing Is sacred to a billy-goat Being
well-fed and the adored of his mistress,
Amomma had naturally swallowed two
loaded pin-fre cartridges. Maisie hurried
up to assure herself that Dick had not mis-
counted the tale.
''Yes, he's eaten two"
"Horrid little beastl Then they'll joggle
about inside him and blow up, and serve
him right. Oh, Dickl have killed
you?"
Revolvers are tricky things for young
hands to deal with. Maisie could not ex-
plain how it had happened, but a veil Of
reeking smoke separated her from Dick, and
she was quite certain that the pistol had
gone of in his face. Then she heard him
sputter, and dropped ON her knees beside
him. crying, '.Dick, you aren't hurt, are
you? 1 didn't mean it.''
"Of course you didn't" said Dick, emerg-
ing from the smoke and wiping his cheek.
''But you nearly blinded me. That powder
stuff stings swfully." A neat little splash
OF gray lead on a stone showed where the
bullet had gone. Maisie began to Ehimper.
"Don't," said Dick, jumping to his feet
and shaking himself. "Pm not q bic
hurt"
mo, but I might have killed you," pro-
tested Maisie, the corners of her mouth
dropping. "What should 1 have done
then?''
"Gone home and told Mrs. Jennett."
Dick grinned at the thought; then, Soften
ing, "Please don't worry about it. Besides,
We are wasting time. We've got to get back
to tea. I'll take the revolver a Bit"
NMaisie would have wept on the least en-
but Dicks indifference, albeit
his hand was shaking as he picked up the
pistol, restrained her. She lay painting on
The beach while Dick methodically bonn
Darded the breakwater. "Got it at lastE''
le exclaimed, as lock of weed few from
he wood.
Let me try" said Maisie. imperiously.
I'm all right nOw." They fred in turns