196 THE FAIRY-FOLK OF THE BLUE HILL.

herself. “Here is the mound, and here are
two of the sentries, but where is the third?”

As she spoke, a third object appeared at the
opening in the mound, and Wassa started
nervously as the dark head of a rattlesnake
came into view. It reared itself cautiously
from the opening, as if it did not like to attract
attention, and looked cautiously at the little
maid.

 

Cautious, however, as were the rattlesnake’s
movements, they attracted the attention of the
watchful owl, whose great yellow eyes were
instantly fixed upon it.

“ Go back at once and attend to thy cooking,”
said the owl severely. “Don’t let the rabbit-
stew be burnt again to-day.”