Part 12 (2/2)
”That's quite sufficient for me, Martin,” said Emma, ”I shall not taste him; at all events, not this time, whatever I may have to do by and by.”
”I spoke to old Bone, sir, and he says it's all right; that he won't keep him more than a day without first sending him to you to ask leave.”
”That's all I require, Martin.”
”They have been out these two days, and had only just come home when I arrived there. The game was still in the wood.”
”I shot a deer,” said John.
”You shot a deer, John!” said Alfred; ”why what a useful fellow you will be by and by.”
”Yes, sir; old Malachi told me that the boy had shot a deer, and that he would bring it here to-morrow himself.”
”I am glad of that, for I wish to speak with him,” said Mr. Campbell; ”but, John, how came you to take the rifle with you without leave?”
John made no answer.
”Answer me, John.”
”Can't shoot without a gun,” replied John.
”No, you can not; but the rifle is not yours.”
”Give it to me, and I'll shoot every thing for dinner,” replied John.
”I think you had better do so, father,” said Henry in a low voice; ”the temptation will be too strong.”
”You are right, Henry,” replied Mr. Campbell, aside. ”Now, John, I will give you the rifle, if you will promise me to ask leave when you want to go, and always come back at the time you have promised.”
”I'll always tell when I go, if mamma will always let me go, and I'll always come back when I promise, if--”
”If what?”
”If I've killed,” replied John.
”He means, sir, that if he is on the track when his leave is out, that he must follow it; but as soon as he has either lost his game, or killed it, he will then come home. That's the feeling of a true hunter, sir, and you must not balk it.”
”Very true; well then, John, recollect that you promise.”
”Martin,” said Percival, ”when are you to teach me to fire the rifle?”
”Oh, very soon now, sir; but the soldiers are gone, and as soon as you can hit the mark, you shall go out with Mr. Alfred or me.”
”And when are we to learn, Mary?” said Emma.
”I will teach you, cousins,” said Alfred, ”and give a lesson to my honored mother.”
”Well, we'll all learn,” replied Mrs. Campbell.
<script>