Somehow the music and
the minted breath of the water and the scent of the moss and the
wild violet seemed to flavour their meal. Tom had brought a small
gun with him, and, soon after they resumed their walk, saw some
partridges and fired upon them. All the birds flew save a hen that
stood clucking with spread wings. Coming close, they could see her
eyes blinking in drops of blood. Trove put his hand upon her, but
she only bent her head a little and spread her wings the wider.
"Tom," said he, "look at this little preacher of the woods. Do you
know what she's saying?"
"No," said the boy, soberly.
"Well, she's saying: 'Look at me and see what you've done.
Hereafter, O boy! think before you pull the trigger.' It's a pity,
but we must finish the job."
As they came out upon Brier Road the boys found a nest of hornets.
It hung on a bough above the roadway. Soon Paul had flung a stone
that broke the nest open. Hornets began to buzz around them, and
all ran for refuge to a thicket of young firs. In a moment they
could hear a horse coming at a slow trot. Trove peered through the
bushes. He could see Ezra Tower--that man of scornful piety--on a
white horse. Trove shouted a warning, but with no effect.
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