girding the fully equipped belt round Flora's waist, he led her to
the target, having first initiated her into the mystery of loading and
discharging a revolver, and said to her--

"As soon as you see that we have boarded the brig this morning, I want
you to come up here and practise firing at that target until you have
become a good shot. Begin your shooting at about this distance,"
marking off a distance of about five yards. "Standing as close to the
target as this, you can scarcely fail to hit it. And when you are able
to hit it three times in succession, I want you to retire one pace to
the rear--so," suiting the action to the word, "and start shooting again
until you have succeeded in hitting the target three consecutive times
from the new position. Then retire another pace, and proceed as before,
until you are able to hit the target time after time without missing, at
this distance," indicating a peg driven into the ground at a distance of
about fifty yards from the target. "When you can shoot straight at that
range I think you will have attained a degree of proficiency sufficient
for my purpose."

"Very well, Dick; I will do as you wish, of course," she answered; "and
I think I shall not be long in attaining proficiency, for I believe I
have a very `straight' eye. Indeed, I gained several first prizes in
archery competitions at home. But I wish, dear, you would tell me why
you have suddenly taken this idea into your head. Has it anything to do
with the arrival of the savages on the island?"

"Of course it has," answered Leslie, cheerily, thinking it best to be
frank with his sweetheart--so far as it was possible for him to be so
without alarming her. "You see, little woman, the matter stands thus.
We know absolutely nothing about these fellows, whether their characters
are bad or good; whether they are treacherously disposed, or otherwise.
And while I have little doubt that in a fair-and-square, open, stand-up
fight I should be able to give a reasonably good account of them, it
will not be amiss for us to be on our guard against treachery. And
there is no better way of dealing with savages than to inspire them with
a good wholesome dread of one's powers and prowess. I propose,
therefore, that, as soon as you have attained the necessary skill with
your revolver, we shall indulge in a little pistol practice together,
_allowing them to look on_. If they once get the fact thoroughly
impressed upon them