The distance was now shortened to something under twenty paces, and a
new target substituted for the old. The black in this was fully six
inches in diameter.
"Five shots with six-shooter," announced Thorne briefly.
"A man should hit a dollar twice in five at that distance," muttered the
prospector. Thorne caught the remark.
"You hit that five out of five, and I'll forgive you," said he curtly.
"Hicks, you begin."
The contest went forward with varying success. Not over half of the men
were practised with the smaller arm. Some very wild work was done. On
the other hand, eight or ten performed very creditably, placing their
bullets in or near the black. Indeed, two succeeded in hitting the
bullseye four times out of five. Every man took the utmost pains with
every shot.
"Now, Ware," said Thorne, at last, "step up. You've got to make good
that five out of five to win."
The prospector stood forward, at the same time producing from an open
holster blackened by time one of the long-barrelled single-action Colt's
45's, so universally in use on the frontier. He glanced carelessly
toward the mark, grinned back at the crowd, turned, and instantly began
firing.
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