The Family of Bob-White 103 



These two had followed the fortunes of the 

 quail family from the very first. They had 

 discovered the nest under the old log and had 

 visited it several times during incubation. 

 They had fished the three water soaked chicks 

 out of the puddle after the rain-storm where 

 the folly of their mother had been only too 

 apparent. 



They had also happened upon the remains 

 of the old raccoon's supper, scattered about 

 near that circle of footprints. The depreda- 

 tions of Red Fox they had likewise discovered 

 while repairing the brush fence. They had 

 also seen the quail many times in neighboring 

 grain fields and had heard their cheery 

 " more-wet " before each rain-storm ; so was it 

 any wonder that their hearts were heavy to- 

 night? 



The old man vaulted lightly over the bar- 

 way into the pasture while the boy crawled 

 between the bars. They went on for fifteen 

 or twenty rods and then crawled under a 

 clump of small spruces and sat down where 

 the leaves were still dry. 



