`` You look like Amazons storming a fort , '' she said , as the girls cattle up , each carrying her bow and arrows , while green ribbons flew in every direction . `` How do you do , sir ? I have been hoping you would call again , '' added Miss Celia , shaking hands with the pretty boy , who regarded with benign interest the giver of little cakes . Here a rush of boys took place , and further remarks were cut short , for every one was in a hurry to begin . So the procession was formed at once , Miss Celia taking the lead , escorted by Ben in the post of honor , while the boys and girls paired off behind , arm in arm , bow on Shoulder , in martial array . Thorny and Billy were the band , and marched before , fifing and drumming `` Yankee Doodle '' with a vigor which kept feet moving briskly , made eyes sparkle , and young hearts dance under the gay gowns and summer jackets . 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 XXXXX 's ; and he retired after the third failure , declaring that it was impossible to shoot against the wind , though scarcely a breath was stirring .
Bab Ben Billy Celia Fay Mose archers fifing marksmen pin-cushion