The very thing! I am going to take a pot at the starlings, Skinner.

There are too many of them about for your fruit-trees." "Very well," said Garratt Skinner, lazily lifting his eyes from his newspaper and looking out across the lawn.

"Only take care you don't wing my new gardener." "No fear of that," said Barstow, and filling his pockets with cartridges he took the gun in his hand and skipped out into the garden.

In a moment a shot was heard, and Walter Hine rose from his chair and walked to the window.

A second shot followed.
"Old Barstow can't shoot for nuts," said Hine, with a chuckle, and in his turn he stepped out into the garden.