l66 DAHLAK 



came rushing up to them. He had a terrified bird in his 

 hands — a little tern. 



'I caught in the bows. It came in from the sea,' Asgodum 

 shouted. 



Cecco looked at it and stroked its head. 'Let it go now.' 

 Cecco took it and Asgodum returned disconsolately to the 

 bows. 



'Let's put a ring on it,' Gigi suggested. 



*A good idea.' 



They made a light tin ring, marked it 'Formica S.N.S.* 

 with the date, and slipped it on the leg of the bird plus a 

 piece of thin string so that it would not come off. Then they 

 let it free and continued their conversation. 



'Mr Cecco!' Asgodum was back again like lightning and 

 highly excited. 'Look, Sir. Other bird come with piece of 

 tin.' He had the ringed tern in his hands. 



'How strange. Good fellow, Asgodum. Now you may go.' 

 Cecco and Gigi controlled themselves. As soon as Asgodum 

 had gone they sent the tern off again. Ten minutes passed. 

 More excited than ever, Asgodum appeared for the third 

 time. 



*Ah, Mr Cecco, Sir, look here: other bird with piece of 

 tin.' 



'Extraordinary.' Cecco reflected. 'Let me have him.' 



Asgodum hurried off to catch other terns with pieces of 

 tin. Cecco ripped the piece of tin off, threw it into the sea 

 and freed the bird. 



Five minutes passed by. Asgodum came again with his 

 eyes popping out of his head. 



'Sir, Cecco, Sir, something goes on here. Look, bird with 

 piece of string on its leg.' 



Cecco exploded with a howl. 



