The target, towed out and anchored by a whaleboat, consisted of a triangular raft of boards supported at each corner by an empty barrel. On this was stepped a mast twelve feet high, with a small red flag at the top. Three leg-of-mutton sails, or "wings," gave the craft the appearance, at a distance, of a small catboat under sail. The _Osprey_ now took her position--the distance and course being plotted by officers in two boats--and steamed at half-speed past the target at a distance of about sixteen hundred yards. The gun-crews were summoned to quarters, and the firing begun with a six-pounder on the forecastle, followed by two three-pounders on the same deck. The big four-inch gun was then loaded, the officers putting cotton in their ears to avoid injury. The first shot, weighing between thirty and forty pounds, was dropped a little to the right of the target; the second fell just beyond it and to the left. "Fire on the top of the roll," cautioned the captain of the gun-crew, which comprised four of the best gunners on the ship. The third shot fell short, and was duly so recorded, in a memorandum to be included in a report to the Department. As the disappointed gunner stepped back he saw Oto, who, being a sort of privileged character, was lingering close by, shake his head slightly. "Perhaps you think you could do better, Jap!" said the man sharply. Oto nodded, but remained modestly silent. "What, did you ever fire a heavy piece of ordnance?" asked Liddon, standing near to watch the practice. Oto nodded again. "I could hit that target," he added simply, touching his cap and turning away. "Stop," said the officer. He stepped toward the bridge, and, saluting, said: "The Japanese yonder says he is used to firing and could hit the target, sir. Shall I let him try?" Rexdale, who was closely noting the practice, hesitated, it being the strict rule that no one outside the gun-crew should fire. He spoke in a low tone to Staples, who laughed and said: "All right, sir. It's only one shot wasted, in any case." "Let the boy sight the piece, and fire," ordered the commander. Oto touched his cap and adjusted the sighting apparatus to his shoulder. His small hands fluttered a moment around the delicate machinery; then he swung the great muzzle slightly upward and to the right. The ship rose on a long swell, and just as it hung on the crest came the roar of the great gun. An instant's pause was followed by a cheer from the men; for as the smoke drifted away, behold, there was no target to be seen! "He must have struck the base of the mast, true as a hair!" exclaimed Rexdale, scanning the wreck of the target through his glass. "Well done, Oto!" The men crowded around the little fellow, clapping him on the back. "Just his luck!" growled Sam, who was one of the gun-crew. "Oh, let up, Sam! The boy has made a first-class shot," said a grizzled old gunner. "Wait till you have such luck yourself!"