THE BUTTERFLY HUNTERS. II3 



"Lightly, lightly/' said the teacher, as Tom jumped down 

 from a branch of the Willow and made the boat rock from 

 side to side. "Now, boys," he continued, "seat yourselves 

 so as to balance the boat. Here, Frank, you must come 

 in my boat, so that I can keep you still. Now one, two, 

 three ! " 



And Mr. Benedict and Gilbert pushed away from the 

 shore. The teacher had thought it best to take boats to 

 hunt for Dragon-Flies, as the insects so often flit off over 

 the water far out of reach of a person hunting on the 

 bank. The party were going now to row round the pond 

 until they were tired and then anchor among the weeds 

 and Lily-pads near the bank, and try their luck with their 

 nets. 



It was a beautiful day for such an excursion. The sky 

 was full of large rollifig clouds, and there was no wind. 

 The boys were all in fine spirits, and full of fun and play. 

 Some leaned over the side of the boat holding their hand 

 so that the sparkling water rippled through their fingers. 

 Others commenced singing. 



" We must give one song to the old flag, boys," • said 

 Mr. Benedict, as he pointed to the streamers with which 

 each boat was dressed. 



"We '11 rally round the flag, boys, we '11 rally once 

 again," shouted Hal, and every boy joined in. Their 

 young voices waked all the echoes of the lake, and the 



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