the white
sunlight. The man placed the can in his left hand and drew his pistol
with the right.

Then he tossed the can into the air. While it still rose his weapon
exploded, the can shook spasmodically and turned clear over. Then in
rapid succession followed four other explosions, the last occurring
just before the can reached the ground. The man smiled, still holding
the smoking weapon in his hand.

The tall man on the extreme edge of the group now stepped forward and
examined the can, while several other men crowded about to look. There
were exclamations of surprise. It was curious to see how quickly
enthusiasm and awe succeeded skepticism.

"He's done it, boys!" cried the tall man, holding the can aloft.
"Bored it in five places!" He stood erect, facing the crowd. "I
reckon that's some shootin'!" He now threw a glance of challenge and
defiance about him. "I've got a hundred dollars to say that there
ain't another man in this here town can do it!"

Several men tried, but none equaled the first man's performance. Many
of the men could not hit the can at all. The first man watched their
efforts, sneers twitching his lips as man after man failed.

Presently all had tried. Watching closely, the rider caught an
expression of slight disappointment on the tall man's face. The rider
was the only man who had not yet tried his skill with the pistol, and
the man in the street now looked up at him, his eyes glittering with an
insolent challenge. As it happened, the rider glanced at the shooter
at the instant the latter had turned to look up at him. Their eyes met
fairly, the shooter's conveying a silent taunt. The rider smiled,
slight mockery glinting his eyes.

Apparently the stranger did not care to try his skill. He still sat
lazily in the saddle, his gaze wandering languidly over the crowd. The
latter plainly expected him to take part in the shooting match and was
impatient over his inaction.

"Two-gun," sneered a man who stood near the saloon door. "I wonder
what he totes them two guns for?"

The shooter heard and turned toward the man who had spoken, his lips
wreathed satirically.

"I reckon he wouldn't shoot nothin' with them," he said, addressing the
man who had spoken.

Several men laughed. The tall man who had revealed interest before now
raised a hand, checking further comment.

"That offer of a hundred to the man who can beat that shootin' still
goes," he declared. "An' I'm takin