"Don’t believe it. There’s something wrong there," quickly observed the general, who knew the rifle upside down. "I’ll test this regiment to-day," he concluded, putting on his cap and making for the range. There he found a company doing great things at the game. Bull after bull was going up to the delight of all, especially Colonel Corkleg, who was proud of his men’s achievement. "Here, my lad," said the G.O.C. to a blind-looking man firing at a target, "give me your rifle." Lying down, the general fired two shots. "What’s that?" he inquired casually. "Two bulls, sir," answered the colonel. "Bulls, eh?" "Yes, sir." "Very well—blow the cease fire." This was sounded, and the general ran up to the butts. There he found the zealous Tamson "pasting up." "Show me the last two shots on number one target," ordered the general. "Here they are, sir," replied the cool and resourceful rascal. "Umph! Not much of a bullet went in there." "Oh yes, sir, that’s right enough. I saw them spit on." "Well, lend me your pencil for a minute, my lad." Out came Tamson’s pencil, which he handed to the general. "Now, look here, young man—I fired the last two shots at number one target, but I fired them in the air. They went miles from here—somewhere in the sky." "It’s gey funny, sir." "Not so very funny, either," replied the G.O.C., "especially when I look at your pencil. It’s the exact circumference of a bullet, and a little paste on each side shows that you have been sticking it through the target." "No’ me, sir! No’ me, sir!" "Oh no—it was your pencil. Put him in the guardroom, colonel, and all of your companies must fire over again with neutral officers in the butts. Good-day." And off stamped the G.O.C. with a grim smile in his eyes. He knew Tommy Atkins, and had caught many a regiment before. In the next shooting many "marksmen" suddenly fell to the status of third-class shots. Thus was a Bisley standard foiled. Tamson got seven days’ cells without the proverbial option. But he didn’t mind. He was thirty shillings to the good. Colonel Corkleg’s opinion cannot be printed.