XI 



IIABBIT TRACKS 



lOW dark it was the next morning 



when the fonr boys gathered in the 



kitchen for their breakfast at 6.30. 



Hut then you know what is kite 



in summer is early in winter : 



it all depends upon when the 



sun chooses to get up and make 



day. 



Yon may also wonder who 

 the two boys were beside Nat 

 and Rap. If you had been there, you wonld have seen 

 that they were the Doctor and ^Ir. Blake, who were 

 in as high spirits as the children, and played so many 

 pranks tliat ]\Iammy Bun could hardly pour out the 

 coffee for trying to liide her langliter. 



" Where is the little shot-gun ? " had been Nat's first 

 question on coming down. ''Is it loaded ? " 



" I think not, but I will look to make sure," said' 

 jNIr. Blake. " Ah, don't do that," he added quickly, as 

 Nat tried to look down the gun barrel. '' Never do 

 that. What did I tell you the first day you shot at 

 the target ? Open the gun here at the breech by 

 pulling down the lever so, always being careful not to 

 point it at anybody or thing. Never take it for granted 



137 



