CHAPTER IX 



PERIL OF DEATH 



For some time the hare seemed to be the 

 only living thing within the homestead : not a 

 cry broke the silence till the finches and linnets 

 roosting in the furze-rick, in the eaves and 

 crannies of the buildings, and even in the 

 buildings themselves, began to twitter, herald- 

 ing with their low, sweet chorus the wintry 

 dawn. 



Presently too there was a sign of stir within 

 the house : smoke rose from the chimney, now 

 and again a spark with it, quenched immediately 

 by the snowflakes which fell as close as ever, 

 thickening the covering that lay like a robe of 

 ermine on the yard, on the roofs of the house, 

 sheds, barn, and the derelict pigeon-cote spring- 

 ing from its ridge. 



But though the household was astir no 

 one seemed disposed to venture out, till at last 

 Andrew, the farm-hind, lantern in hand, appeared, 



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