The Washington herald., 1909-10-17

going to India after q tiger skin to put
over the couch. In the meanwhile he
eontented himself with duck shooting on
Great South Bay or an occasional dip
into the Adirondacks.
Patrick had accompanied him on the
last of these trips, and Il had been a
long-standing promise that Peter should
go on the next. Their camp was to be In
Canada this year, as soon as the open
season for caribou arrived. Peters heart
was set on a caribou Of his own, and as
the summer wore TO an end his practice
with the rife was ass.duOus.
Mr.. Harry had set up a target down
on the Jasper beach-a long strip of mud
dy gravel which the inlet at low tide left
bare-and had given the men permission
to shoot.
One Saturday afternoon Patrick and
Peter and Billy. the under groom. were
gathered on the beach amusing them
selves with a rife and a fresh box OF
cartridges. The target was a good 200
yards away. With a light rifle. such as
the men were using. It was very pretty
shot to hit one OF the outer rings. the
bullseye through anything but a lucky
''Mr. Harry's givin' us a run for our
money" Peter grumbled. after splashing
the water behind the target several
times in vain attempt to get his range.
You'd better keep out, Billy. This amt
no easy steps for little feet"
But Billy, with his usual aplomb. in
sisted upon trying. After his second shot
Peter derisvely shouted:
Look out. Pat 1t amt safe to stand
behind him: he's likely 20 hit most any
thing except the mark"
Billy gOod-naturedly retired and en-
gagged himself in keeping score. The RI
valry between Peter and Patrick was
keen. The latter was the older hand at
rife shooting, but Peter was the younger
man and possessed the keener eye AS
soon as they became accustomed to their
distance they pulled into line. and the
contest grew spirited. Presently Vittorio.
garden hoe in hand came Looping across
the meadows, attracted by the shots.
When he saw what II was he drop
ped down on the bank and interest
eddy watched the match. Patrick had
been ahead, but his last shot went wild
and splashed the water to the left Of the
target. Peter made the inner ring and
pulled the score up even. He was in an
elated frame Of mind.
Hello. Tonyl'' he called with unwonted
affability as he paused to reload. "See
that shot? Pretty near hit the bullseye.
You don't know how to shoot-no? Eye
Italians use knives. Americans use guns. "
Vittorio smiled back. pleased at being
so freely included in the conversation.
IT shoota more good dat You no
- \. nj
was not boastful; he merely dropped the
remark as an unimpassioned statement Of
fact
Peter had raised the rife to his shoul-
der: he lowered It again TO stare.
What are We givin' us?" he demanded.
Eye tlank We can shoot hetter'n me?"
Vittorio shrugged He HAD NO desire 70
hurt Peers feelings. but at the same
time he saw no occasion to lie.
Course I shoot-a more good dat" he
responded genially. II shoot-a long time.
You no learn how Ikea me"
Here" said Peter, stretching the rife
toward the man, 'let mo see we DO It.
then. Either put UP or shut UP. TIL show
We that it amt so easy as it lool1s''
Vittorio sprang 10 his feet with an afr
Of surprised delight.
You let-a me shoot? Sank you. Sank
you yer mOch." He took the rifle in his
hand and caressed the barrel with
touch almost lovingly His eyes were
eager as child's.
Here, you, Tony" Peter warned.
don't get funny with that gun. Point it
at the target"
Vittorio raised the rife and squinted
along the barrel; then. as an idea oc-
Cured to him. he lowered It again and