g enough
to do such a thing."

"I did! I did! I never told a lie in all my life--never, never, never!
So, there!" and unable to endure such an imputation, the child rushed
upon his traducer and pounded him well with the butt of his little rifle.

"Ned! Edward Trent! Stop! You--a little gentleman--mother's son!"

Jessica's arms were about her brother, restraining his movements and
for a moment making him drop his head in shame. The next he had broken
from her grasp, caught up another gun and dragged it toward her.

"Your turn, Jess. Hurry up. There's just an inch of sun left--I mean
there was a minute ago--hurry up! Me an' Luis's got to go to bed quick
as a wink! Hurry--hurry!"

"Hurry up!" echoed Luis, with a yawn, and dropping down where he stood,
was instantly asleep.

John Benton crossed to the visitor's side and remarked:

"Now, I tell you, stranger, you'll see the sight of your life. If I was
a betting man I'd back Our Lady Jess again' any other girl-shooter on
the globe. You just watch out--if the dark holds off a spell."

There were a dozen, maybe, of the ranchmen standing or lying around in
a semi-circle, but now all quiet and intent upon the little girl, as,
nodding and smiling upon her guest and her beloved "boys," she stepped
into the open space before them all. "Forty-niner" March, unerring
marksman and the children's instructor, took his place beside her,
examined her rifle, handed it to her and also observed to the stranger:

"Now, if nothin' happens, you'll see sunthin'. Sorry it's so dusk,
but any gent what doubt's is free to walk up to the target and look
where the ball strikes. You, lady, do me proud."

"I'll try," said Jessica, simply. "Is it the little nail in the
center?"

"Just that."

She sighted and fired; and a ranchman who had run forward to the target,
shouted back across the darkening space:

"Hit her plumb!"

A roar of applause greeted this announcement, but the girl accepted this
tribute with no comment save another nod and smile, as she waited her
teacher's next direction.

This was given silently by a gesture downward.

Instantly Jessica dropped upon the ground, rested herself upon her
elbows, aimed, fired, and--"Hit her again! Hooray for Our Lady!
Hooray--hooray--hooray!"

In his excitement big Samson seized Mr. Hale by the sleeve and compelled
that gentleman to jog-trot across the open and view at closer range the
wonderful skill of the little maid who was so dear