"Ye're not going to shoot at that?" said the old woman, grinning.
The girl had looked toward him at last, with a smile of faint
dension.

Clayton took aim quickly and fired. The huge bird sank as though
hit, curved downward, and with one flap of his great wings sailed
on.

"Well, ef I didn't think ye had hit him!"said the old woman, in
amazement. "You kin shoot, fer a fac'."

Easter's attention was gained at last. For the first time she looked
straight at him, and her little smile of derision had given way to a
look of mingled curiosity and respect.

"I expected only to scare him," said Clayton.

The gun will carry twice that far."

Hit's jest as well ye didn't hit him," said the old woman. 'Hit air
five dollars fine to kill a buzzard around hyeh. I'd never thought
that little thing could shoot."

"It shoots several times," said Clayton. "Hit does whut?"

Like a pistol," he explained, and, rising, he directed several shots
in quick succession at a dead tree in the ploughed field. At each
shot a puff of dust came almost from the same spot.

When he turned, Easter had risen to her feet in astonishment, and