2o6 WITH THE U. S. NATURALISTS 



'before giving voice to his thoughts. Presently 

 he laid down the photo and turned his stern face 

 to the boy. 



*'That looks right smart like Bob," he said. 



*atis Bob," said Shan. 



*' Where did yo' find him?" 



The struggle of temptation in the boy's mind 

 was sharp, but short. He set the possible excus- 

 ing answer aside and said, 



*'I killed him." 



The black eyebrows lowered, but for a minute 

 or two, the pot-hunter said nothing. Then — 



"Because o' that?" he asked, pointing with his 

 broad thumb to the bird. 



''Yes." 



"Do yo' reckon that gives yo' a right to kill my 

 cat?" 



"I think it does," said Shan. 



His heart was beating fast, but he wanted to 

 stand firm. He knew that it was more than possi- 

 ble that the stern old moonshiner might beat him 

 half to death, but he would not weaken. 



On his part, the old pot-hunter, though angry, 

 wished to be fair, and he had a soft spot in his 

 heart for the little Thrushes and their nest. 



"It's his nature," said Bull. 



