Part 72 (1/2)

”Why, 'tarn't a wild bird at all!” cried Jem ”It's one of the 'my pakeha' chap's cocks an' hens Well, I haht, and before Jem could recover from his surprise, the bird had darted forward, seized the fruit, and was off a dozen yards before he had darted out his hand after it

”Too late, Jem”

”Yes, Mas' Don, too late that time; but I mean to ketch that chap, just to show hio on eating, and don't take no notice, and look out--look out”

”Oh!” ejaculated Don For at that moment one of the birds had co cry, he wasof its beak in the hand holding a portion of his dinner, which was carried rapidly away

”Magpies is nothing to 'em,” cried Jem ”But wait a bit, my fine fellows, and you shall see what you shall see Pass that there basket, Mas' Don Ah! That's a good bait forout of the bushes They're a-watching to see what I' to do”

”Three! I can see four, Jem”

”More for ood to eat? I say, do you think they can understand English?”

Don laughed, and went on with his dinner, as Je berry in his hand, stretching it out to the full extent of his ar the ferns

”Now then, don't take no notice, Mas' Don Let you an' , and that'll 'tract 'e,” and he rested his back against a piece of stone, watching intently all the while

Two of the birds began to approach directly, while the others looked on as if deeply interested

The approach of the advance force was particularly curious, for they ca there, as if they had not the slightest intention of going near the fruit in Jeht away, always getting nearer, while Je his eyes half shut

They had not long to wait, for one of the birds manoeuvred until it was a few feet away, then ht the berry from Jem's hand, which closed with a snap, the second bird ht the berry fro a few feathers, staring after the birds, one of which cried out in a shrill piping tone

”Yes, I'll give you pepper next time, my fine fellow!” cried Jem

”Nearly had you My word, Mas' Don, they are quick Give's another berry”

Jeain, and went on with his , and they ca, Jem, is that it makes you lazy”

”And not want to move, Mas' Don Yes, it do But it's my 'pinion as this was meant for a lazy country, else the water wouldn't be always on the bile, ready for use”

”Think that's fire?” said Don, after a drea at the brilliant silver-tipped mountain, above which floated a cloud

”No,” said Je hot water place up yonder, and that there's steam Yes, one do feel lazy here; but it don't matter, Mas' Don; there's no bosun, and no master and lufftenant and captain to order you about I rather likes it, only I seem to want et away froot no boat, and it takes pretty nigh a hunderdjourney through the country, Jeht beyond those mountains, and sooner or later we shall colishe in a shi+p”

Jelishmen here, Mas' Don”

”I do I think I've read that there are; and if we do not find any, we shall have seen the place, and can co for a ride to Exeter by the Bristol waggon! Ah, well, just as you like, Mas' Don, only don't let's go this afternoon, it's all too nice and comfortable I don't want to move Say, wonder whether there's any fish in that lake?”