20 DISCOVERED 



were back in their seats around the green, they 



were discovered and attacked by a bloodthirsty 



little creature that was abroad foraging in the 



very middle of the morning. The hare's 



suspicions were first aroused by the angry cries 



of some small birds in the corner of the nearest 



field. Soon the demonstration grew more and 



more distinct, showing that the birds were 



pursuing the object of their displeasure in the 



direction of the green. From the first the 



noise attracted the attention of the magpie. 



Immediately he saw the birds he cocked his 



head, now this way now that, as if beholding 



the most interesting sight of his life. And a 



strange sight it certainly was ; for, accompanied 



by linnets and finches that fluttered over it, 



there came with the quick movement of its kind, 



a weasel, seemingly quite indifferent to the 



mobbing it received. As soon as it appeared 



the hare quivered in every limb ; but there 



was no shiver of fear, for when presently the 



little miscreant scented the jack and stood on 



its hind legs screaming, to paralyse him with 



terror, she bounded across the green, and with 



a stroke of a forepad sent the animal flying 



into the water. Undaunted, and enraged at 



this treatment, the weasel now confronted the 



hare herself, only to be knocked over, trampled 



