the nail by a
hair's-breadth.

Turning round in towering wrath, Scraggs aimed a kick at the poor pup,
which, had it taken effect, would certainly have terminated the innocent
existence of that remarkable dog on the spot, but quick as lightning
Henri interposed the butt of his rifle, and Jim's shin met it with a
violence that caused him to howl with rage and pain.

"Oh! pardon me, broder," cried Henri, shrinking back, with the drollest
expression of mingled pity and glee.

Jim's discretion, on this occasion, was superior to his valour; he
turned away with a coarse expression of anger and left the ground.

Meanwhile the major handed the silver rifle to young Varley. "It
couldn't have fallen into better hands," he said. "You'll do it credit,
lad, I know that full well, and let me assure you it will never play you
false. Only keep it clean, don't overcharge it, aim true, and it will
never miss the mark."

While the hunters crowded round Dick to congratulate him and examine the
piece, he stood with a mingled feeling of bashfulness and delight at his
unexpected good fortune. Recovering himself suddenly he seized his old
rifle, and, dropping quietly to the outskirts of the crowd, while the
men were still busy handling and discussing the merits of the prize,
went up, unobserved, to a boy of about thirteen years of age, and
touched him on the shoulder.

"Here, Marston, you know I often said ye should have the old rifle when
I was rich enough to get a new one. Take it _now_, lad. It's come to
ye sooner than either o' us expected."

"Dick," said the boy, grasping his friend's hand warmly, "yer true as
heart of oak. It's good of 'ee, that's a fact."

"Not a bit, boy; it costs me nothin' to give away an old gun that I've
no use for, an's worth little, but it makes me right glad to have the
chance to do it."

Marston had longed for a rifle ever since he could walk, but his
prospects of obtaining one were very poor indeed at that time, and it is
a question whether he did not at that moment experience as much joy in
handling the old piece as his friend felt in shouldering the prize.

A difficulty now occurred which had not before been thought of. This
was no less than the absolute refusal of Dick Varley's canine property
to follow him. Fan had no idea of changing masters without her consent
being asked, or her inclination being consulted.

"You'll have to tie her up for a while, I fear," said the major.

"No fea