He sauntered along the road,
and was about to cross it, when he heard a sharp snap. It was like a
subdued shot.
In the same instant a hissing sound went _pseu_! in front of his face.
A distinct breeze, small though it was, fanned his eyes. Then chug!
Something landed in the trunk of the tree he was passing.
"That was a shot!" guessed the submarine boy, like a flash, and in the
next breath he muttered: "Aimed at me, too!"
Jack pitched forward, falling upon his face. If one shot had been
fired, another might be as soon as the unknown marksman realized that
he had missed.
Several people, near by, fancied they had heard a shot, and turned,
curiously. Then, as soon as Benson was espied lying on the ground a
rush was made in his direction.
At that moment Hal Hastings happened to be looking over toward the beach.
Like a flash he was up and away, his magazine falling from his lap to
the ground.
"Now, what on earth has taken Hastings off like that?" demanded Mr.
Farnum, looking around in surprise. "There are other people running,
too. Come along, Dave!"
Hal shot his way through the rapidly gathering crowd. He reached Jack
Benson just as the latter leaped up, laughing.
"Why all this excitement, just because I stubbed my toe against a
dew-drop and fell?" demanded Benson, laughing.
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