LADY; JANE THE SWAN 71 



seen her mother chase off the coyotes for nothing. She 

 did not even think it necessary to hiss at this awkward 

 puppy, but raising herself to full height and throwing her 

 head well back, she half raised her wings and waited. 



Beaver did not quite like the turn events were taking. 

 He had taken it for granted that she would run as soon 

 as he came near; but he was no coward, and evidently it 

 would be necessary to teach this bird a lesson in manners, 

 for no bird had the right to consider itself above fearing 

 a six-months-old pup. Hesitating a moment, he sprang 

 straight at her, meaning to catch her by the neck. While 

 he was in mid-air out darted the long neck, driving the 

 hard beak full into his face, cutting an ugly gash and 

 knocking the puppy howling to the ground. The swan 

 was not willing to stop here, tho the puppy would have 

 been glad to call it enough. Catching him by the back 

 of his neck, she beat him with her wings till he fairly 

 howled with pain and fright. 



As soon as he could get free the thoroughly frightened 

 puppy ran howling to the house. Both pup and swan 

 had learned a lesson. Nevermore would the pup bother 

 a great strange-looking bird, and the swan knew how to 

 fight dogs. 



Lady Jane soon became so gentle that she was allowed the 

 freedom of the place. She seemed to feel perfectly at 

 home, and seldom showed any disposition to wander. There 

 was a small pond near by where she could satisfy her ap- 

 petite for swimming and fishing, and there was plenty of 

 corn about the stable. What more could a swan desire? 



She soon became much attached to the master. Even 

 before she had put on her grown-up plumage she followed 

 him wherever he went. It was a comical sight to see the 



