The Hawk and the Doves. 125

nearer to the earth in their terror of the cruel enemy in pur-
suit.

“*Dear little birds, I will shelter you, cried Sophia, holding
out her apron in her eagerness to save them.

“The doves sank into the apron, exhausted with fatigue and
fear, and the girl clasped them in her arms. The hawk dashed
down until his sharp beak and glittering eyes were close to
Sophia’s face; and she screamed with terror, but she did not
drop the doves.

“ Now came the ugly frown on Otto’s face; he seized a stick,
and aimed a blow at the bold hawk.

“«The doves belong to us! Let me see you touch them!’ he
shouted, angrily.

“The hawk gave a hoarse shriek of rage and disappointment,
then rose slowly in the air, and flew away in search of other
game. The children cautiously uncovered the birds to admire
them, and Otto held one while Sophia carried the other. Never
were such lovely birds seen! Their plumage was snowy on the
wings, and shaded to crimson and emerald green on the breasts.
Around each slender neck was fastened a gold chain studded
with jewels, which flashed in the sun like a circlet of fire.

“The captives were restless to resume their flight after the
danger was over; but the children had no idea of losing such
charming pets, so they carried them home in spite of their fran-
tic efforts to escape.

“ The village was as clean as constant scrubbing by the tidy
housewives could make it. You should have seen Aunt Ka-
trine, rain or shine, polish the door-step, just as they do still
in the city of Philadelphia. The village people were already