Page 74 (2/2)

forest, as you know it does in one place The flocks were out feeding

on the slopes below irls

--were lying together by a patch of gorse, but one of them stood up

after a while and shaded her eyes to look over the forest Then I saw

a lonely birdway for the heronry I re white I flew ard out of the hood at

her, sure of a kill She raked off at a great pace, as this one did

just now; but in ainst the wind, stooped and fell headlong at the shepherds I could

not tell what had happened; it was as if the girl had been shot But,

by the Saviour ofthrow her arms up, I heard her screa sails of irl I

spurredto theNever before or since have I seen a peregrine engage

at such a quarry as that She had her with beak and claws below the

left pap She had ripped up her clothes and drawn blood, sure enough

The poor child, who looked very starved, was as white as death: I

cannot think she had any blood to spare As for her screaotten it yet--in fact, the bird we struck to-day reminded me

of it and made me act as I did To cut down irl what money I had, said what I

could to quiet her, and left her to be patched up by her friends She

was htened than hurt, I fancy As I told you, I was a boy at

the tis stay by you It is a fact at least that I

ah March,

indeed it was alraunt, I saw and rescued a

white bird from two hen-harriers; and now I have been troubled by

another I seem beset by white birds!"