THE BUTTERFLY HUNTERS. 



55 



CHAPTER X. 



THE DEN ROCKS 



HE next day, after school, Gilbert called 

 all the boys and ghds to a meeting on 

 the green in front of the school-house. 

 Gilbert was older than the other boys, 

 and being a generous-hearted, manly 

 fellow, was their acknowledged leader. 

 " May I come to the meeting, too ? " asked little Frank, 

 as he came out of the school-house with his satchel on his 



arm, 



*' O yes, Frank, of course we could n't do anything with- 

 out you," said Gilbert, laughing. 



"There is one thing I want you all to promise," said 

 Frank, very soberly. 



" What is it ^ " said all the boys at once, for Frank was 

 a general favorite. 



" I will tell you. I want you all to promise not to 

 catch and bring in any of those horrid young butterflies 

 that the teacher told us about last night." 



All the boys joined in a laugh at this, and Gilbert said, 

 " No, Frank, we will not throw our nets for a single one 

 of them." 



