82 WHISPERS FROM FAIRYLAND. [u.

 

 

tion, though even now we remained fully exposed to
view ; but at the third shot, the bullet passing beneath
me at a distance from my body, far too near to be
pleasant, penetrated my tail feathers, and went whist-
ling on in its upward journey. Being now thoroughly
alarmed, I awoke to the necessity of adopting some
measure to prevent greater damage to my sacred
person, and being (though I say it that shouldn’t)
a rook of wariness beyond my years, I determined
forthwith to seek shelter in our friendly nest. With-
out more ado, therefore, I hopped lightly to my refuge,
and with a croak of satisfaction ensconced myself in
the same place whence I had first seen the light of
day from the inside of my parent egg.

O why did not my dear relations share at once my
prudence and mysafety! With a courage more resolute
than wise, they maintained their position, and the very
next bullet, striking my brother in the wing, wrung
from him a moan of agony, and prevented his following
my example. MHorrified at the sound, I peered over
the nest to watch what would follow, and waited in
breathless expectation whilst the cruel enemy loaded
and fired again, and this time with but too true an
aim. The fatal bullet shot my brother full in the
breast, and passing through from breast to back, left
behind it only a lifeless carcase from which the bright
young life had passed away for ever. The body of
my innocent brother fell with a dull heavy thud upon
the ground beneath, and soon swelled the heap of
victims already collected by the attendant keeper.
My sister, now fully awakened to a sense of her
danger, hopped with trembling legs towards my place