CHAPTER VI 



WHEN the excitement had passed, I wandered about 

 with one of our team and watched some of the com- 

 petitions which were proceeding. Among these was the 

 Graphic prize, which in those days was open all day, like the 

 pool shooting. Anyone could enter if able to find " seven 

 bob and a tanner." 



" Have a dart, Spadger " [my pet name " Cockie " had 

 not arrived then, the term " Spadger " being an abbreviation 

 of "Cock Spadger" (or sparrow), derived from my sur- 

 name]. " Have a dart and try your luck ! " 



Well, the only coins of the realm which remained in my 

 pocket were a half-crown and a shilling in silver, and fivepence- 

 halfpenny in bronze. This impecuniosity I had to admit, 

 when my pal became insistent ; whereupon the generous 

 lad " came across with " the balance, on condition that if 

 any dividend accrued I was to adopt the " fifty-fifty " 

 principle. 



So I procured a voucher and took up my position on the 

 mat. The conditions were seven shots at two hundred yards, 

 prone. 



Now I thought that if I could make an average of centres 

 at the distance standing, I might perchance make a " possible " 

 under these far easier circumstances. 



Sure enough, a " bull " was signalled to my first shot. 

 What is more, I followed with five more of the desirable 

 cattle ; but, alas ! my last shot just missed the inmost circle. 

 Eagerly we scanned the scores, and, strange to say, we found 

 that no " possibles " had been registered that day. 



Unfortunately for us, the competition remained open the 

 following one, when three objectionable interlopers put in a 

 clean card. So that was that ! 



38 



