122 The Catskill Fatrtes.

Dutch settlers of New York came from, even as Nip’s Yankee
giant landed on the coast of New England. ‘The boy and girl,
Otto and Sophia Snyder by name, had entered the wide
meadow which alone separated them from their home.

“«TLet us rest awhile, said Otto, throwing himself on the
ground; and Sophia followed his example.

“ The grass rose like a green sea all about them. Over against
the sky was the neat village where they lived, the red-roofed
houses shaded by willow-trees. Otto knew Aunt Katrine would
expect him to feed the hens and pigs, as well as to drive the
cows home; still he sat in the grass.

“ They talked about the beetles toiling at their feet, the bus-
tling, hurrying ants, and Otto tried to catch a pretty field-mouse
that darted past him to hide in the ground.

“¢Tf T could find the nest, what fun it would be to take the
baby mice! exclaimed the boy, crawling along on his hands
and knees to the spot where the mouse had disappeared.

“Three storks were roaming by the water-side, among flags
and osiers, in search of frogs.

“«Oh, Otto! look up there! cried Sophia, pointing to the sky.

“ Otto forgot the hunted mouse in a moment, and sprang to
his feet to gaze in the direction indicated by his sister. High
up in the air were two doves, with feathers of dazzling white-
ness, that soared along unconscious of danger. A large black
hawk was winging its swift flight in keen pursuit of the pretty
doves. At last the birds seemed to become aware of their peril,
for the hawk darted above them, prepared to swoop down on
the helpless mates. The children, who had watched their move-

ments with breathless interest, now saw them circle nearer and