Page 66 of Repentance and Absolution
I frowned. “Well, yes and no. I got him a revolver that he carries around when I’m not with him—like, if he goes ridin’ without me. But he ain’t never learned how to shoot a rifle.”
As I spoke, I realized t’was a serious oversight, out here in the middle of the wilderness, to not know how to shoot a rifle, when bears could attack you out of nowhere when you were walking from the house to the barn to feed your stock.
“Hmm,” Clarence said.
“You reckon I should teach him.”
“Well, all I know is, if I hadn’t taught Irene to shoot a rifle, the two of us might not be having this conversation.”
“True enough. I meant to teach him. I just forgot.”
“How about I teach him?”
“You wanna teach Oscar to shoot?”
“Jimmy, I gotta do something or I’m gonna go stark ravin’ mad, sitting here on the settee all day. You figure I can at least start walking outside a bit?”
“I s’pose. T’would probably be good for those muscles to get some movement.”
Clarence inclined his chin. “I thought so. Anyway, if I’m teaching Oscar how to use a rifle, it won’t tax my lower half too much.”
I thought about it. “Well, walkin’ in the snow is tricky, but I s’pose I can shovel a space for the two of you in front of the house and set up some targets. You got some empty bottles or cans around?”
“I’m sure we do.”
“All right, then. It’s a deal.”
T’was a good idea. I had my hands full doin’ all of Clarence’s chores and looking after five animals. We’d brought Poke o’er so they’d all be together while we were spending most of our time here. It would be something for Clarence to do if he could tear Oscar away from Irene for a spell.
I made sure I’d finished the morning chores the next day before I shoveled a space in front of the house and set up some bottles on a turned-up log. I didn’t want to be walking around the barn and whatnot with Oscar perfecting his aim.
The first lesson went pretty well. I was inside for most of it, shining up some of the horse tack and trying not to think about those other things we used the saddle grease for. T’was a peculiar thing to open a jar and immediately feel your cock rising. I mentally told it to settle down, and got to work, while Clarence and Oscar went outside and the lessons began.
The rifle cracked, and I glanced at the window.
Oscar stood beside Clarence, frowning. He held the rifle pointed at the ground and rubbed his shoulder, staring at the target.
Yeah, the kick was something you had to be ready for. T’was always a bit of a surprise when you first learned.
Clarence pointed at the log and smiled. Seemed like Oscar had hit one of the bottles on his first try. I watched him fire the rifle twice more. His stance was good, but he missed. Anyway, he’d get it.
“How is he doing?” Irene asked, glancing up from her sewing. She was working on the skirt of a very fancy dress that a lady living in Banff had commissioned.
“All right. I reckon he’ll be as good as you some day.”
“Oh, Jimmy,” she said, resting her hand on the luxurious fabric, “I was so scared.”
She’d gone white as a sheet, and I could see the leftover fear plain as day in her wide eyes.
“T’was a lucky shot, that one in the neck. And I was ready to shoot again, but then you were there, and you got him good. Thank God.”
I put the bridle down and wiped my hands, then went o’er and touched her arm. “Coming face to face with that kind of thing can be traumatizing.”
“Yes,” she said, her voice barely more than a breath. She nodded at the window. “It’s a good idea to teach Oscar. You never know what you might be up against out here.”
“True enough.” I followed her gaze and saw Oscar lift the rifle to his shoulder again. He seemed to be enjoying himself, though he’d be sore tomorrow.
“When we were coming into Port Essington,” I said, “just about six miles out, maybe more, we were set upon by a pack of wolves.”
