Он наводил пистолет не прямо в небо или в дерево, а все-таки как бы метил в противника, хотя, впрочем, брал на аршин поверх его шляпы.
He did not aim straight at the sky or at the trees, but seemed to aim at his adversary, though as he pointed the pistol the bullet flew a yard above his hat.