It seemed to give Bab a new idea , for in a minute all sorts of recollections , wishes , and plans rushed through her lively little mind , and she followed a sudden generous impulse as blindly as she often did a wilful one . `` I guess he 'll beat , '' she said , softly , with a quick sparkle of the eyes , as she stepped to her place and fired without taking her usual careful aim . Her shot struck almost as near the centre on the right as her last one had hit on the left ; and there was a shout of delight from the girls as Thorny announced it before he hurried back to Ben , whispering anxiously , -- `` Steady , old Man , steady ; you must beat that , or we shall never hear the last of it . '' Ben did not say , `` She wo n't get ahead of me , '' as he had said at the first ; he set his teeth , threw off his hat , and , knitting his brows with a resolute expression , prepared to take steady aim , though his heart beat fast and his thumb trembled as he pressed it on the bowstring . `` I hope you 'll beat , I truly do , '' said Bab , at his elbow ; and , as if the breath that framed the generous wish helped it on its way , the arrow flew straight to the bull 's - eye , hitting , apparently , the very spot where Bab 's best shot had left a hole . `` A tie ! a tie ! '' cried the girls , as a general rush took place toward the target . `` No , Ben 's is nearest . Ben 's beat ! '' Hooray shouted the boys , throwing up their hats . There was only a hair 's - breadth difference , and Bab could honestly have disputed the decision ; but she did not , though for an instant she could not help wishing that the cry had been `` Bab 's beat ! Hurrah ! '' it sounded so pleasant . Then she saw Ben 's beaming face , Thorny 's intense relief , and caught the look Miss Celia sent her over the heads of the boys , and decided , with a sudden warm glow all over her little face , that losing a prize did sometimes make one happier than winning it . Up went her best hat , and she burst out in a shrill , `` Rah , rah , rah ! '' that sounded very funny coming all alone after the general clamor had subsided . `` Good for you , Bab ! you are an honor to the club , and I 'm proud of you '' , said Prince Thorny , with a hearty handshake ; for , as his man had won , he could afford to praise the rival who had put him on his mettle , though she was a girl . Bab was much uplifted by the royal commendation , but a few minutes later felt pleased as well as proud when Ben , having received the prize , came to her , as she stood behind a tree sucking her blistered thumb , while Betty braided up her dishevelled locks .
`` I think it would be fairer to call it a tie , XXXXX , for it really was , and I want you to wear this .
Bab Ben Celia Thorny centre first left minute rah right