The interesting stranger was elected to bear the prize , laid out on a red pin-cushion ; and did so with great dignity , as he went beside the standard bearer , Cy Fay , who bore Ben 's choicest flag , snow-white , with a green wreath surrounding a painted bow and arrow , and with the letters W. T. C. done in red below . Such a merry march all about the place , out at the Lodge gate , up and down the avenue , along the winding paths , till they halted in the orchard , where the target stood , and seats were placed for the archers while they waited for their turns . Various rules and regulations were discussed , and then the fun began . Miss Celia had insisted that the girls should be invited to shoot with the boys ; and the lads consented without much concern , whispering to one another with condescending shrugs , `` Let 'em try , if they like ; they ca n't do any thing . '' There were various trials of skill before the great match came off , and in these trials the young gentlemen discovered that two at least of the girls could do something ; for Bab and Sally shot better than many of the boys , and were well rewarded for their exertions by , the change which took place in the faces and conversation of their mates . `` Why , Bab , you do as well as if I 'd taught you myself , '' said Thorny , much surprised and not altogether pleased at the little girl 's skill . `` A lady taught me ; and I mean to beat every one of you , '' answered Bab , saucily , while her sparkling eyes turned to Miss Celia with a mischievous twinkle in them . `` Not a bit of it , '' declared Thorny , stoutly ; but he went to Ben and whispered , `` Do your best , old fellow , for sister has taught Bab all the scientific points , and the little rascal is ahead of Billy . '' `` She wo n't get ahead of me , '' said Ben , picking out his best arrow , and trying the string of his bow with a confident air which re-assured Thorny , who found it impossible to believe that a girl ever could , would , or should excel a boy in any thing he cared to try . It really did look as if Bab would beat when the match for the prize came off ; and the children got more and more excited as the six who were to try for it took turns at the bull 's - eye . Thorny was umpire , and kept account of each shot , for the arrow which went nearest the middle would win . Each had three shots ; and very soon the lookers-on saw that Ben and Bab were the best marksmen , and one of them would surely get the silver arrow . Sam , who was too lazy to practise , soon gave up the contest , saying , as Thorny did , `` It would n't be fair for such a big fellow to try with the little chaps , '' which made a laugh , as his want of skill was painfully evident . But Mose went at it gallantly ; and , if his eye had been as true as his arms were strong , the `` little chaps '' would have trembled . But his shots were none of them as near as Billy 's ; and he retired after the third failure , declaring that it was impossible to shoot against the wind , though scarcely a breath was stirring . Sally Folsom was bound to beat Bab , and twanged away in great style ; all in vain , however , as with tall Maria Newcomb , the third girl who attempted the trial . Being a little near-sighted , she had borrowed her sister 's eye-glasses , and thereby lessened her chance of success ; for the pinch on her nose distracted her attention , and not one of her arrows went beyond the second ring to her great disappointment . Billy did very well , but got nervous when his last shot came , and just missed the bull 's - eye by being in a hurry . Bab and Ben each had one turn more ; and , as they were about even , that last arrow would decide the victory . Both had sent a shot into the bull 's - eye , but neither was exactly in the middle ; so there was room to do better , even , and the children crowded round , crying eagerly , `` Now , Ben ! ''
`` Now , XXXXX ! ''
Bab Ben Newcomb Sally Sam Thorny eye-glasses marksmen second third