sight a wee bit
out of alignment. It must have been pure luck that you got that rabbit
this morning."

"Use my rifle," interrupted Walter.

"Thanks," replied Hal. "I believe I will. Even if I got the sights
adjusted on my gun I shouldn't be able to shoot. Every time I made a
poor shot I'd have the feeling that it was the gun's fault. My, but it
is a relief to know that I haven't gone back in my shooting quite so
badly as all that."

All having made their trial shots the match was on. Walter shot first,
getting five tens, four nines and an eight, a total of ninety-four. Alec
was next, and his first shot was a nine, followed by nine bull's-eyes, a
total of ninety under his handicap. Hal started off with a seven, went
into the black six times in succession, then got two eights and wound up
with a nine, total ninety-two. Sparrer gave them a surprise with
eighty-seven and Pat slapped him on the back. The coaching he had
received that morning during the rabbit hunt had not been in vain. Pat
was the last man up, and shot rapidly and with seeming carelessness, but
the succession of bull's-eyes was proof that this was more apparent than
real. His last shot, however, barely touched the edge of the black, and
he insisted that it be counted a miss, tying him with Alec and giving
Walter the match.

After this Pat and Alec shot a friendly match. While this was going on
Hal slipped back to the cabin. He had marked a small spruce of perfect
shape not far from the rear of the cabin, and this he now cut and
dragged in. By the time the shooting was over he had it set up at the
rear of the room and had stretched a blanket across so as to screen it.
When his comrades came trooping in they were warned not to peep behind
it under threat of dire penalties. He made one exception. He needed
Upton's help and also the gifts that Walter had brought from home.

By the time they had finished it was quite dark in the cabin. They
piled logs on the fire and when the blaze was leaping merrily up the
chimney and casting a warm ruddy light over the room Hal suggested that
they draw up to the fire for a Christmas story. He chose the German
legend of the origin of the Christmas tree. He possessed no mean skill
as a story-teller and he threw himself into the telling of this so that
his listeners sat in rapt attention.

Just before the conclusion he gave Walter a signal and the latter arose
and slipped back of the blanket. As the story ended the blanket