THE BUTTERFLY HUNTERS. I31 



It was now time to go on, and the boys were quite 

 ready. 



" Why, where is Ben } " said the teacher, as he looked 

 round on his Httle band. 



" Here are his boots down behind this rock," said Hal ; 

 "he can't have gone very far barefoot." 



" No, inde.ed," said Joe Dane ; " he is too tender of his 

 feet for that." 



" Here he is, and fast asleep too ! " shouted little Frank, 

 who was skipping about among the bushes. " Come, Ben, 

 poor Ben, wake up," and Frank seized the sleepy boy's 

 hand and tugged at it with all his little strength. 



" Let me alone," grunted Ben. But the loud laugh of 

 all the boys soon roused him from his slumbers. He sat 

 up and tried to rub open his sleepy eyes. 



"We are all waiting for you, Ben," said the teacher in a 

 pleasant voice ; " rouse up and put on your boots." 



" I can't put 'em on," whimpered Ben ; " my feet are all 

 covered with blisters now." 



"Such a little fellow as you are, Ben, ought to have 

 stayed at home," said Joe Dane, in a hectoring tone. 



Frank began to feel sorry, and, creeping up to the lazy 

 boy's side, he said : " I 'm sorry, Ben, you are so tired, 

 but I don't believe the boot will hurt you much. I '11 

 carry your bag and net if you will let me." 



By this time Ben was fully awake, and with Mr. Bene- 



