As I mentioned the other day, Graham comes into his own in book 2. Graham really is a hero, even as a kid. How many ten year olds are willing to stand up to a pair of utahraptors.
Graham carefully aimed down the length of the barrel. He squeezed the trigger, but nothing happened. Lowering the weapon, he flipped the safety to the fire position, and then sighted again. This time when he fired there was a satisfying crack. The utahraptors stopped, startled, for a moment, but seemed uninjured. Graham worked the action and fired again. This time Senta saw the bullet strike the trunk of a massive redwood about twenty feet above the ground and quite a bit behind the predators.
“It’s not sited in right,” muttered Graham, as he pulled back the bolt.
This time, as with the first shot, they were unable to determine where the missile hit.
“Um, aim at their feet and a bit to the right of them,” advised Senta.
This time the bullet hit a tree just to the right of the foremost creature.
“The next one is in your head!” called Graham as if he had intended the previous shots as warnings.
The utahraptor did not look at all impressed. He and his cohort were not much more than fifty feet away. When they charged they could clear that distance in the blink of an eye. For the moment though they were still being wary of the strange little creatures which made loud booming noises and refused to run.
“You better stand behind me,” said Graham bravely.
City of Amathar 