He stood thinking whether he had better risk a shot at the owl or retrace his steps, when one of the crews uttered a cry of warning, which was immediately answered by the others, and the whole flock was out of sight in an instant.

The owl gazed around a moment with his great eyes, then spread his wings, leaped into the air, and was flying rapidly away, when there was a sharp report, and he came tumbling to the ground, and the indefatigable Frank rose from the bushes, and ran forward to secure his prize.
"Dished again!" said Archie, to himself.

"I would have wagered a good deal that Frank was not within gun-shot." "I say, Archie, where are you ?" called out Frank.
"Here I am.

I thought, sure, that owl was mine." And Archie came forward, holding his gun in the hollow of his arm, and looking a little crest-fallen.
"You were not far behind," said Frank, laughing.
"That's poor consolation.

I wanted to be first.