178 A GREAT EYE.

like a butterfly, over the spot where its nestlings were,
before it darted with a glad spring upward towards the ~
sun. It had begun to ruffle out its speckled throat and
to pour out a stream of clear merry notes — when — there
was a sudden dreadful stunning blow;—a dull crash and
then a sharp pain—a gasping for breath, and-a fall through
the air with scarcely an attempt to save itself by spreading
out the light strong brown wings, for one of them hung
bruised and useless.

On the ground lay the panting bird, half dead from fright,
pain, and surprise—for it had been made for happiness, and had
never felt sorrow and trouble before.

What did it all mean? Nothing had happened to the sun
at least, for he was gazing, gazing down and saw it all.

The wounded lark fluttered a few yards off, and tried to
creep away back to its nest and mate; but a terrible loud noise
seemed to shake the ground, and something was dashing aside
the wheat-stalks right and left.

“He’s hiding in there, somewhere,” cried a loud rough
voice, as the foremost of the two boys came beating down
the corn on each side with his cap to drive out the helpless
bird.

The boy was so busy about his job that he did not
notice the silent figure following him, which he had taken
to be his brother’s, as it crept quietly up behind without
speaking: till it was within arm's length; until he felt a
heavy hand upon his collar, a hand which would not be shaken
off; a firm fist which only held him all the tighter the more
he struggled.

It was the farmer.

“ Now, you come along, my fine fellow! It ‘Sal! Bivioyiic Oe
good your twisting like an eel. I’m going to march you along