Honker and Dippy Arrive 



the voice of Honker. Then Peter saw little silvery 

 lines moving on the water and presently a dozen 

 great shapes appeared in the moonlight. Honker 

 and his friends were swimming in. The long neck 

 of each of those great birds was stretched to its 

 full height, and Peter knew that each bird was 

 listening for the slightest suspicious sound. Slowly 

 they drew near, Honker in the lead. They were 

 a picture of perfect caution. When they reached 

 the sandy bar they remained quiet, looking and 

 listening for some time. Then, sure that all was 

 safe, Honker gave a low signal and at once a low 

 gabbling began as the big birds relaxed their 

 watchfulness and came out on the sandy bar, all 

 save one. That one was the guard, and he re- 

 mained with neck erect on watch. Some swam in 

 among the rushes growing in the water very near to 

 where Peter was sitting and began to feed. Others 

 sat on the sandy bar and dressed their feathers. 

 Honker himself came ashore close to where Peter 

 was sitting. 



"Oh, Honker," cried Peter, "I'm so glad you're 

 back here safe and sound." 



Honker gave a little start, but instantly recogniz- 

 ing Peter, came over close to him. As he stood 

 there in the moonlight he was truly handsome. 

 His throat and a large patch on each side of his 

 head were white. The rest of his head and long, 

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