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 , Bab ! '' `` Hit her up , Ben ! '' `` Beat him , Bab ! '' while Thorny looked as anxious as if the fate of the country depended on the success of his man . Bab 's turn came first ; and , as Miss Celia examined her bow to see that all was right , the little girl said , With her eyes on her rival 's excited face , -- `` I want to beat , but Ben will feel so bad , I ` most hope I sha 'n' t. '' `` Losing a prize sometimes makes one happier than gaining it . You have proved that you could do better than most of them ; so , if you do not beat , you may still feet proud , '' answered Miss Celia , giving back the bow with a smile that said more than her words . 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 XXXXX 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 .
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