I 



Point Shooting for Blackduck 



" Reading and writing are inflicted by school- 

 masters, but a crack shot is the work of God." 

 FRANK FORESTER. 



season, midwinter; 

 the hour, an early one, 

 for city beings, at least, 

 four in the morning; the 

 approaching day, one of the 

 midweek, with full promise of crispness 

 and brightness ; the place, aboard a sturdy 

 sloop, making out the little creek at Ami- 

 tyville into the open water of the Great 

 South Bay of Long Island ; the company, 

 one Adam Grieb, skipper, who has^fol- 

 lered th' bay nigh on teh sixty year an* 

 more"; Doctor Edward Bradley, who, 

 though a city man, looks as strong and 

 weather-stained as the bayman ; and Peri- 

 tus, the Doctor's young companion. 

 3 



