Kentuck."

"You can shoot, then!" demanded the trapper, with a glow of latent
fire, glimmering about his eyes; "is your hand true, and your look
quick?"

"The first is like a steel trap, and the last nimbler than a buck-
shot. I wish it was hot noon, now, grand'ther; and that there was an
acre or two of your white swans or of black feathered ducks going
south, over our heads; you or Ellen, here, might set your heart on the
finest in the flock, and my character against a horn of powder, that
the bird would be hanging head downwards, in five minutes, and that
too, with a single ball. I scorn a shot-gun! No man can say, he ever
knew me carry one, a rod."

"The lad has good in him! I see it plainly by his manner;" said the
trapper, turning to Ellen with an encouraging air; "I will take it on
myself to say, that you are not unwise in meeting him, as you do. Tell
me, lad; did you ever strike a leaping buck atwixt the antlers?
Hector; quiet, pup; quiet. The very name of venison quickens the blood
of the cur;--did you ever take an animal in that fashion, on the long
leap?"

"You might just as well ask me, did you ever eat? There is no fashion,
old stranger, that a deer has not been touched by my hand, unless it
was when asleep."

"Ay, ay; you have a long and a happy-ay, and an honest life afore you!
I am old, and I suppose I might also say, worn out and useless; but,
if it was given me to choose my time, and place, again,--as such