of cartridges, while Mr. Hardy took his rifle; and so they started
off to their shooting ground.

Here their father instructed them in the use of their revolving
carbines, and then, after some practice with caps only, allowed
them to fire a few shots each. The firing was certainly rather
wild, owing to the difficulty they felt at first of firing without
shutting their eyes; but after a few weeks' practice they became
very steady, and in three or four months could make pretty certain
of a bull's-eye at three hundred yards. Of all this Mrs. Hardy and
the girls knew nothing; but there was not the same secrecy observed
with reference to their shotguns. These they took home with them,
and Mr. Hardy said that he understood that the plains of South
America swarmed with game, and that, therefore, it was well that
the boys should learn how to shoot. He insisted, however, that only
one gun should be taken out at a time, to diminish the danger of
accidents. After that the boys took out their guns by turns when
they went to work of a morning, and many a dead blackbird soon
attested to their improving skill.




CHAPTER II.

THE START.


It was nearly a year after he had made up his mind to emigrate
before Mr. Hardy was able to conclude all his arrangements. Then