counted on. The wind-mill kept right on turning, and three black crows lay
stretched on the ground. Theremainder of the colony witnessed this sad dis-
aster with dismay. There was a general uplifting of claws, and a tearing of
feathers among them. Something must be done, some decisive measure
adopted. The old crows were for council, but as before the younger ones were
for war. ‘In numbers lies strength!” was their motto, and in spite of the warn-
ings and pleadings of the old crows, the younger ones formed themselves into
a body, and were off like the wind, thinking to carry the foe by storm. But the
foe carried them—at least part of them, for four ran on its big arms, then
dropped lifeless by the side of their late companions. Six were badly wounded
and hobbled back to the colony, where for years they drew a pension the same
as the veterans in any other war. The remaining body of crows, when they
saw their companions killed and wounded, beat a Hap retreat, sorrowful and
crest-fallen, and all was confusion.

At last it was decided to calla council, so a committee of twenty-five
were chosen, with their president as chairman, to discuss the matter and see
what it was best to do. But the dead crows must first be buried, so a coroner’s
inquest was called, the funeral services were held, andthe crows all came clad
in the deepest mourning. Grief was seen on every countenance. At first no
one had much to say, but after a while they began to talk and each one sug-
gested some way of ridding themselves of this terrible monster. But none of
their plans seemed likely to work. At last, the president, who was a wise old
crow, proposed to call in some of the crows who had been members of the at-
tacking party, and to cross-question them as to the conduct of the enemy at the
time of the encounter. So three young crows were brought in, and placing his
glasses securely on the bridge of his nose, the president began to question them
in the following manner:

“Didn't the enemy retreat when he saw you coming?” said the judge.

“No, it did not, your Honor,” replied the crow.

“Didn't it advance to meet you?”

“No. It stayed in just the same place from mrst to last.”

“Then this monster has not been known to leave -its place to attack any
of our numbers in the field?”

“No, your Honor. We have been in the field several times since, both to
look around and to get food, but it did not appear to see us.”

“Just as I thought, just as I thought!” said the wise old crow, as he care-
fully took off his glasses and polished them onone wing. ‘Now you may go,”
said he, turning to the witnesses, who thereupon flew off a short distance.
“Just as I thought!” he said again. ‘Now my opinion is and has been that if

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