The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1921-01-26

ing, II simply blinked out. Not until
the next morning did he really know
why. Insomnia was an old acquaint-
ance of Dams, and he had expected to
have some trouble In getting TO sleep.
His only real trouble was waking up
again when Lennox called him to
breakfast. He couldn't believe that
the light at his window shade was
really. that of morning.
Good Heavens r. his host exploded.
"You sleep the sleep OF the just"
Dan was about to tell him that on
the contrary he was a very nervous
sleeper, but he thought better Of II.
Something had surely happened to his
insomnia. The next instant he even
zation that his tired body had been
wonderfully refreshed He had no
dread now of the long tramp up the
ridge that his host had planned.
But first came target practice. In
Dams baggage he had certain very
plain but serviceable sporting rifle of
about thirty-forty caliber--a gun that
the information department of the
large sporting-goods store in Gitcbe-
apolis had recommended for his pur-
pose Except for the few moments in
the store. Dan had never held rifle
In his hands. The first shot he hit the
trunk Of five-foot pine at thirty
PAGES.
"But I couldn't very well have
missed it!' ne replied tn Lennox's
cheer. You see. I aimed al the mid
debut ! just grazed the edge"
The second shot was not so good,
missing the tree altogether And II
was a singular thing that he aimed
longer and tried harder on this shot
than on the first. The third time he
tried still harder. and made by far
the worst shot Of all.
whats the matter?" he demanded.
"I'm getting worse all the time"
Lennox didn't know for sure But
he made long guess. 1T might be
beginners luck" he said. shut I'm in.
clined TO think you're trying too hard.
Take 1T eqsier--depend more on your
Instincts"
Dams reply was Ia lift the rifle
lightly To his shoulder glance quickly
along the trigger and fire The bullet
struck within one inch Of the center
Of the pine.
For long second Lennox gazed nj
him In open-mouthed establishment.
"My stars. boy - he cried nj last.
WAS mistaken in thinking YOU were
born tenderfoot-after all? Can II
be that little of your old GRANDPA
theirs skill has been passed down "a
YOU? But you can't do 1t again."
But Dan did do 1t again. If any
thing, the bullet was a little nearer
the center And then he aimed at
more distant tree.
But the hammer snapped down In
effectively on the breech. He turned
with a look OF question.
"Your gun only holds five shots.
LennoX explained Reloadng, Dan
tried more difficult target--a trunk
almost one hundred yards distant. OF
course II would have been only child's
play To an experienced hunter; Dul
TO tenderfoot il was difficult
mark indeed. Twice out OF four shots
Dan hit the tree trunk. and one of his
two hits was practically a bulrs-eye.
His two misses were the result Of the
same mistake he had made before
attempting to hold his aim too long.
Dan and LennOX started together
up the long slope of the ridge. Dan
alone armed LennoX went with him
solely as a guide The deer season had
just opened. and II might be that Dan
would want TO procure one of these
creatures.
But I'm not sure | want to hunt
deer" Dan told him. "You speak Of
them as being so beautiful"