Robert Michael Ballantyne

The Dog Crusoe and His Master Robert Michael Ballantyne

A shooting-match and its consequences--New friendsintroduced to the reader--Crusoe and his motherchange masters. Shortly after the incident narrated in the lastchapter the squatters of the Mustang Valley losttheir leader. Major Hope suddenly announced his intentionof quitting the settlement and returning to thecivilized world. Private matters, he said, required hispresence there--matters which he did not choose tospeak of, but which would prevent his returning againto reside among them. Go he must, and, being a manof determination, go he did; but before going he distributedall his goods and chattels among the settlers. He even gave away his rifle, and Fan and Crusoe. These last, however, he resolved should go together;and as they were well worth having, he announced thathe would give them to the best shot in the valley. Hestipulated that the winner should escort him to thenearest settlement eastward, after which he might returnwith the rifle on his shoulder. Accordingly, a long level piece of ground on theriver's bank, with a perpendicular cliff at the end ofit, was selected as the shooting-ground, and, on theappointed day, at the appointed hour, the competitorsbegan to assemble."Well, lad, first as usual," exclaimed Joe Blunt, as hereached the ground and found Dick Varley there beforehim.