The bird had a wing crippled, and fluttered along
the water screaming, materially increasing its distance from its
enemies.
"That bird must be put out of pain," exclaimed Deerslayer, the
moment the animal endeavored to rise on the wing, "and this is the
rifle and the eye to do it."
The duck was still floundering along, when the fatal bullet overtook
it, severing the head from the neck as neatly as if it had been
done with an axe. Hist had indulged in a low cry of delight at
the success of the young Indian, but now she affected to frown and
resent the greater skill of his friend. The chief, on the contrary,
uttered the usual exclamation of pleasure, and his smile proved
how much he admired, and how little he envied.
"Never mind the gal, Sarpent, never mind Hist's feelin's, which
will neither choke, nor drown, slay nor beautify," said Deerslayer,
laughing. "'Tis nat'ral for women to enter into their husband's
victories and defeats, and you are as good as man and wife, so far
as prejudyce and fri'ndship go. Here is a bird over head that will
put the pieces to the proof. I challenge you to an upward aim,
with a flying target. That's a ra'al proof, and one that needs
sartain rifles, as well as sartain eyes.
Pages:
738
739
740
741
742
743
744
745
746
747
748
749
750
751
752
753
754
755
756
757
758
759
760
761
762