Training Day - Rifle Competition

Maggie cheered and waved from the crowd, hoping Cotton would see her. Now if he could just beat Hagman, what a victory it would be!

Hagman made his way over to Harris and Cotton. Grinning, he patted Harris on the shoulder "Well done mate! It might as well 'ave been ya I'll 'ave to face later. A pretty close match, I'd say." Then he turned to Cotton. "Congratulations, Mr. Cotton." he said in a joyful show of formality. "So, it's goin' ta be you an' me again, eh? Let's see if ya still be best shot after that". He was grinning challengingly but in a friendly way. Cotton was a very good shot and he knew that he could be a match for him again.

"Wonder how many of them'll want to trade their red coats for a green jacket now?" Cotton said. Even the two Majors who had done the judging were looking impressed.

He grinned at Dan Hagman as the older Rifleman came over. "You 95th lot don't make it easy, y'know," he said, and grinned as he saw Maggie on the edge of the crowd,waving and grinning at him.

"Aye. Wouldn't do if we did, eh?."

It had been a good round, close but with a clear winner. And that left the 95th (in the shape of Dan Hagman) against the 60th (represented by Gabriel Cotton). It couldn't be much better than that, and it seemed Lieutenant Sharpe thought so, too.

"Good shot, your man, sir," Sharpe said.

"And yours - all of them. The young lad - Carty? - will be more than a match for the older men, given time."

Maggie heard a familiar voice nearby. "Well done, Cotton!" There was Jenny, returned and wearing her normal dress but now with the uniform coat over top of it. She had brought Maggie's, or Danny Pickwoad's, as well. Maggie was not cold in the least, but she eagerly slipped it on to show her support for the 60th and for Cotton.

"Good luck, Gable!" she called across the field.

Carty shouted a word of congratulations to Cotton - a rematch! - but made his way straight to Harris. "Well done, Harris. Very good, very very good shooting, yis."

And Maggie was suddenly wearing a 60th jacket over her normal clothes. Cotton grinned and made his way over to her, slinging his rifle as he did so..

"Now, there's a fine-lookin' lass I see," he said, grinning at her. "Knew I was right to be thinkin' about gettin' you a rifles jacket, sweeting."

Harris gripped the lad's shoulder. "We did well. If we did it as pairs, I think we could take on any other. Roper isn't as good as Cotton, or ..." He repeated what he had said earlier: "You will be better than any of them in a couple of years. And what you did today is good experience. I'll wager money on you then."

Maggie laughed as she reached up and squeezed Cotton's neck. "Don't even know whose jacket this is. Whose is it, Jenny?"

But her friend only smiled and shrugged, looking innocent. "Well done, Cotton. Good luck next round!"

"Aye, and go on and win, now. They've set up the targets." Maggie gave him a small kiss for luck and a little shove.

"Need a bigger kiss than that, I think, lass," Cotton said, taking her in his arms. "Still got your locket, Maggie. Nice an' safe, in me shirt, " he whispered before kissing her.

"All right, all right, steady on!" she laughed, returning his kiss as he lifted her feet off the ground. "That's enough for you now. Save some for later!"

"I will, Maggie, lass. Oh, I will." He put her back down carefully, grinning, and turned back to the firing area.

Maggie laughed, feeling her face go pink as she stepped back to stand beside Jenny. She exchanged glances with her, wondering if her friend had overheard, but she couldn't stop smiling in spite of the blush. Jenny just gave her a knowing smile.

Major Vereker looked at the two men. "Rifleman Cotton, and Rifleman Hagman. Are you ready? The rules will be the same. Five shots at the targets, at fifty yards."

Hagman stepped up to where Major Vereker was. "Aye, sir. Me an' the lass is ready!" Grinning, he turned to Cotton: "Let's see who's best shot at the end o' tha day!" he said cheerfully.

Cotton grinned at Maggie and stepped forward.

"I'm ready, sir," he said, and looked across at Hagman. "Best of luck, Dan, mate," he said and held his hand out.

Dan took Cotton's hand with a firm shake and a genuine smile "Best o' luck to ya too, lad"

Harris leaned on his rifle, and watched the two men. They had competed before - would it be the same this time? "You'll do it, Dan," he called. "Good luck."

"Very well. Rifleman Hagman, you may call, for the order of shots." Vereker produced the same coin as before, tossed it and held it covered on the back of his left hand.

"Aye, may the best man win!" Cotton grinned. Either of them could win this, and it would be no shame for either of them to lose to the other.

No indeed, it wouldn't. Hagman looked briefly over his shoulder to Harris and gave him a nod.

When the Major requested for his call he said "Heads" The King's face had brought him luck once so maybe he might be lucky again...

Vereker removed his right hand to show the features of the King they fought for. "Heads," he confirmed. "Will you shoot first or second?"

Cotton didn't mind whatever Hagman chose, but it was the older man's choice, and so he waited for his decision.

Again, King George's head meant he had the choice... "Ya go first then, Cotton" he said. He knew that Cotton could face it to go first.. indeed, it wouldn't make much o' a difference to either o' them.
So the older man stepped back some to see Cotton load and fire.