rapid succession the remaining five chambers of his gun were emptied.
Each shot found its mark with deadly accuracy, for Will meant to win
the contest.

Then they set out to inspect the target. Will led now. He was eager to
ascertain the actual result. An exclamation of joy broke from him as
he snatched up the box. The bull's-eye was about two inches in
diameter; one of his shots had passed through it, three had broken its
outer line, while the other two were within a quarter of an inch of
the little white patch. All six shots could have been covered by a
three-inch circle.

"Good," cried Thorpe. And he turned the box round and drew another
target on its side.

The new bull's-eye was a shade smaller. It may have been accident. It
may have been that Jim preferred to make his own task more difficult
than err on the side of his own advantage. Will said nothing, and they
walked back to the firing point.

Jim lifted his gun and fired. His shots rang out like the rattle of a
maxim gun, so swiftly did he empty the six chambers. In a few moments
they were once more on their way to inspect the target.

Five bullets had passed through the bull's-eye, the sixth had broken
its line.

"I shall see Eve to-morrow morning," said Jim quietly. "You can see
her later."

Without a word Will turned away, and moved off toward the ranch. Jim
followed him. Nor was a word exchanged between them till the hut was
reached, and Will had unhitched his horse from the tying-post.

"Going?" inquired Jim, for something to say.

"Yes."

There was no mistaking the younger man's tone, and his friend looked
away while he leaped into the saddle.

Jim seemed to have drawn none of the satisfaction which the winning of
the match should have afforded him, for he flung the box which he had
been carrying aside as though it had offended him. He wanted to speak,
he wanted to say something pleasant. He wanted to banish that surly
look from Will's eyes; but somehow he could find nothing to say,
nothing to do. He looked on while the other lifted his reins to ride
off. Then, in desperation, he came up to the horse's shoulder.

"Shake, Will," he said.

It was the effort of a big heart striving to retain a precious
friendship which he felt was slipping away from him.

But Will did not see the outstretched hand. He hustled his horse, and,
in moving off, his own right foot struck the waiting man violently. It
was almost as though he had kicked him.

J