94. WHISPERS FROM FAIRYLAND. [i1.

 

These words of kindness cheered my failing heart
and revived my drooping courage. °

“Oh do come down and try, Pug,’ said I. ‘Look at
my poor leg and see what can be done!’

Thus implored, the worthy squirrel ran nimbly
down from his seat and squatted close to the trap
which he regarded closely.

‘Ugh!’ he exclaimed at last, ‘the nasty, cruel
thing! I wish the fellow who set it had his finger in
it, that I do! But, he added, ‘I fear there is only
one chance for you, friend rook. You must leave
your foot behind and lose a limb to save a life, as the
saying is.’

As he spoke, telling me in truth that which my
own instinct had already suggested to me as my only
chance of escape, I felt that he was right. The only
thing was, how could I bear the pain which it would
cost me to tear myself away from the fangs of the
cruel machine which held me like a vice?

Oh ye men and boys, whoever ye be, who chance
to read this history, just think for a moment of the
misery you inflict upon poor birds and beasts, if ye
set or allow to be set in your woods and shrubberies
these horrible steel traps. The traps you set for little
birds are of a different nature. Three bricks and a
tile, supported by.a small bit of stick which rests on
a twig balanced on another bit of stick thrust into
the ground, constitute a trap, into which, if a small
bird is fool enough to hop after your crumbs, he
richly deserves to be caught. Then, however, he has
no pain to endure except reflections upon his own
folly, until you sake him out and deal with him as