218 BASHFUL DRUMMERS. 



a snail's pace up the slope. Happily, the 

 ground was carpeted with pine needles, and 

 comparatively free from brush and dead 

 twigs, those snapping nuisances that so 

 often bring all our patience and ingenuity 

 to nought. A section of the wall came into 

 sight, but I got no glimpse of the bird. 

 Presently I went down upon all fours ; 

 then lower yet, crawling instead of creep- 

 ing, till I could look over the brow of the 

 hill. Here I waited, and had begun to fear 

 that I was once more to have my labor for 

 my pains, when all at once I saw the grouse 

 step from one stone to another. " Now for 

 it ! " I said to myself. But the drumming 

 did not follow, and anon I lost sight of the 

 drummer. Again I waited, and finally the 

 fellow jumped suddenly upon a top stone, 

 lifted his wings, and commenced the fa- 

 miliar roll-call. I could see his wings beat- 

 ing against his sides with quicker and 

 quicker strokes ; but an unlucky bush was 

 between us, and hoping to better my posi- 

 tion, I moved a little to one side. Upon 

 this, the bird became aware of my presence, 

 I think. At least I could see him staring 

 straight at me, and a moment later he 



