Chapter 6: Little Sure Shot

"Will you really teach us?" Annie asked.

"Of course I will." Oakley laughed. "Every young woman should be able to shoot. And every young man too," she added, smiling at Jack.

"She's not only the best sharpshooter you'll meet, but she's a good teacher as well. You'll learn a lot from Annie," Bill said. "I need to go get ready for the show, so why don't you three meet me back here in an hour to get ready for the parade."

"Ok!" Jack and Annie said. Then they followed Oakley away from the stables.

She led them to an open area at the side of the camp where targets were set up.

"Alright, I'll help you try in a minute, but watch me first." Oakley showed them how to load the rifle and aim. Then she shot a bullseye.

"You can go look at the target if you want." Oakley laughed.

Jack and Annie ran forward to look at the little hole in the middle of the target.

"Can you teach me to shoot like that?" Annie asked.

"Eventually you might be able to. You're only a little younger than I was when I learned to shoot."

Annie cheered and listened as Oakley showed her out to shoot.

Jack backed away a little and opened his research book. He found a picture of Oakley shooting her rifle.

Sharpshooting was a popular sport and a necessary skill in the west. Like Oakley, most sharpshooters learned in order to hunt or protect their homes from wolves and robbers. Due to her height, Oakley was nicknamed Little Sure Shot by fellow performer Sitting Bull.

Jack looked up and watched as Oakley shot again. This time she broke the top off a glass bottle. He wrote down in his notebook:

Shooting to hunt. Oakley called Little Sure Shot

"Jack, watch me!"

Jack looked up. Annie was holding the rifle and pointing it toward the target. She pulled the trigger and fell backward.

"Ouch!" Annie rubbed her shoulder. "The rifle punched me."

Oakley laughed. "That's called recoil. I guess you're still a bit too small to shoot."

Annie smiled and stood up. "Jack, your turn!"

Jack put away his notebook and walked toward her. Oakley showed him how to hold the rifle and point it toward the target.

He was nervous about the recoil but pulled the trigger.

Pop!

Jack felt the punch to his shoulder, but he was able to stay standing.

"Good job, Jack!" Oakley smiled at him. "That was a good first shot!"

She took back the rifle and led Jack and Annie over to the target again.

"Well, it looks like Annie's shot missed. But look! Jack, this shot was yours." She pointed to a small hole at the very edge of the target.

Jack frowned. "I missed the bullseye."

Oakley patted his shoulder. "It's ok. Most people don't even hit the target on their first try. You did well."

"Yay, Jack!" Annie laughed and gave him a high five.

Jack felt better about missing the bullseye.

AN: Oakley's comment about all young women learning to shoot is based on quotes from her and the fact that she taught many women how to use a gun. It is not meant to be a political statement, nor is it reflective of my own beliefs. Please do not take this chapter as an invitation to discuss politics here.