been killed out. But Easter kin tell you better'n I kin, for she does
all our huntin', 'n' she kin outshoot 'mos' any man in the
mountains."

Yes; I saw her shoot at the match the other day down at the
mines."

Did ye? "-a smile of pleasure broke over the old woman's face-"
whar she beat Sherd Raines? Sherd wanted to mortify her, but she
mortified him, I reckon."

The girl did not join in her mother's laugh, though the corners of
her mouth twitched faintly.

I like shooting, myself," said Clayton. "I would go into a match,
but I'm afraid I wouldn't have much chance."

"I reckon not, with that short thing? " said the old woman, pointing
at his repeating-rifle. "Would ye shoot with that?"

Oh, yes," answered Clayton, smiling; "it shoots very well."

"How fer?"

"Oh, a long way."

A huge shadow swept over the house, thrown by a buzzard sailing
with magnificent ease high above them. Thinking that he might
disturb its flight, Clayton rose and cocked his rifle.