I had never fired a gun, but I had made up my mind
to be a mighty hunter and so started in for shooting practice with much zeal. Uncle Kit gave me few instructions about how to hold the gun, and I raised the rifle to
my face and fired the first shot of my life.
I do not know how close my bullet came to that mark, nor how far it missed, for the wood was untouched. But I tried it again and with much better success, for this time I struck the stick about eight inches below the mark. This was great encouragement and from that on I could scarcely take time to eat meals in camp, in my anxiety to practice, and I was further encouraged by Uncle Kit's approval of my desire to practice.
One evening I overheard Uncle Kit say to Mr. Huges, "That boy is going to make a dead shot afterwhile."
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Kit Carson.
This gave me great faith in my future as a hunter
