gave notice that those who failed to present themselves for the
shot at the bull's-eye would necessarily be excluded from all the
higher trials. Just at this moment Lundie, the Quartermaster, and Jasper
Eau-douce appeared in the group at the stand, while the Pathfinder
walked leisurely on the ground without his beloved rifle, for him a
measure so unusual, as to be understood by all present as a proof that
he did not consider himself a competitor for the honors of the day.
All made way for Major Duncan, who, as he approached the stand in a
good-humored way, took his station, levelled his rifle carelessly, and
fired. The bullet missed the required mark by several inches.

"Major Duncan is excluded from the other trials!" proclaimed the
Adjutant, in a voice so strong and confident that all the elder officers
and the sergeants well understood that this failure was preconcerted,
while all the younger gentlemen and the privates felt new encouragement
to proceed on account of the evident impartiality with which the laws of
the sports were administered.

"Now, Master Eau-douce, comes your turn," said Muir; "and if you do not
beat the Major, I shall say that your hand is better skilled with the
oar than with the rifle."

Jasper's handsome face flushed, he stepped upon the stand, cast a hasty
glance at Mabel, whose pretty form he ascertained was bending eagerly
forward as if to note the result, dropped the barrel of his rifle with
but little apparent care into the palm of his left hand, raised the
muzzle for a single instant with exceeding steadiness, and fired. The
bullet passed directly through the centre of the bull's-eye, much the
best shot of the morning, since the others had merely touched the paint.

"Well performed, Master Jasper," said Muir, as soon as the result was
declared; "and a shot that might have done credit to an older head and a
more experienced eye. I'm thinking, notwithstanding, there was some of
a youngster's luck in it; for ye were no' partic'lar in the aim ye took.
Ye may be quick, Eau-douce, in the movement, but yer not philosophic nor
scientific in yer management of the weepon. Now, Sergeant Dunham, I'll
thank you to request the ladies to give a closer attention than common;
for I'm about to make that use of the rifle which may be called the
intellectual. Jasper would have killed, I allow; but then there would
not have been half the satisfaction in receiving such a shot as in
receiving one that is dis