The spectator., 1922-01-27
CHAPTER lI-Continued.

Rainey gave over the spokes and went to the Starboard rail with Lund, watching the preparations between fore and main masts for the competi- tfon, and telling Lund what was hap pening. Carlsen gave out some shot gun cartridges from cardboard boxes. twelve to each of the six hunters.
 Sandy, the roustabout, had been re4uisitioned to toss up empty bot ties, and those who failed cursed him for a poor thrower. X hunter named Deming made no misses, and secured first prize of ten dollars in gold, with d man named Beale scoring two be- hind him, and getting half that amount from Carlsen.
 Then came the test with the rifles. The weapons were all of the same caiiber, well oiled, and in perfect con dition. Each of the hunters had ! few shells in his possession, but they lacked the total of six dozen by a considerable margin.
 Carlsen went below for the neces- sary ammunition while the target was completed and set in place. A keC had been rjgged with weight under ssung to keep 1t upright, and tin can, painted white, set On a short spar in one end of the keg, A light tine WAS attached to bridle, and the mark lowered over the stern, where it rode, bobbng in the tail of the S-,osner's wake, thirty fathoms from the taffrail where the crowd gath .e~ea.
 More bullets hit the keg than the caR, and Carlsen was often called uypa as umpire. But the tin gradual ty became ragged and blotched where EAe stecljacketed missiles torc through. Beale and Deming both had fve clean, undisputed hits, tying for first prize. Beale offered to shoot IL of with six more shells apiece. and Denins consented.
 Cant be done" declared Carser. 'sNst right now. anyway. I gave out the last shell there was in the masa- zine"
 'Derned funny" said Deming. "a sealer shy on cartridges! Lucky We ain't worryin' about thet sort of cargo"
 Probably plenty aboard some where" said Carlsen, but don't know where they are. You boys have gst me beaten on rifles and shotguns," ts went or, producing from his hip pocket a flat, effective-looking auto ~e are you on small arms?'
 The hunters shook their heads dubi- ously.
 'Never use 'em," said Demng "Never could do much with that kind ennyhow. Give me a revolver, an ] might make out to hit a whale, if he was close enough, but not with one O them"
 Not much difference" said Carl sen. Any of you got revolvers?"
 No one spoke. It was against the rnwritten laws of vessel for pistols to be owned forward of the main cabin. Beale finally answered for the rest.
 Mary a pistol, sir"
 "Then," said Carlsen, "T'll give you an exhibition myself. Any bottles left? Beale, win you toss them for me"
 There were eight shots in the auto Aatic, and Carlsen smashed seven bottles in midair. The hunters shout ed their appreciation.
 Break all of emp Lund asked Rainey. "Enny bottles left at all7"
 He walked toward the taffrail, ad- dressing Carlsen.
 "Kin you shoot by sound as well ns by sight. Doc?' he challenged.
 'I fancy not" said Carlsen.
 elf I had my eyes I'd snapshot ye for a hundred bucks" said Lund. "As it Is. I might target one or two. Rainey. have some one run line, head-hieh, an fix a bottle on it, will vel nin't got a gun q my own,