THE LONE SWALLOWS 5 



were seen wheeling above the mill pond, 

 and by the mossy waterwheel, hovering 

 along its cool gushings and arch of sun- 

 stealing drops thrown fanwise from the 

 mouldered rim. Everywhere the villagers 

 hailed them with delight, and spoke in the 

 inn at nights of their early adventuring. 

 Such a thing had been unknown for many 

 years; the oldest granfer had heard tell of 

 it, but had never actually seen it before. 

 The old man took a poet's delight in the 

 news, and peered with rheumy and faded 

 blue eyes, hoping to see them when tapping 

 along the lane to his " tater-patch." It 

 became a regular thing for the wanderer 

 upon the headland to report their presence 

 when he returned from the high solitude 

 and the drone of the tide, and the yelping 

 cries of gulls floating white in the sunshine 

 above a sea of woad-blue. 



Gulls selected nesting sites, and the sea- 

 thrift raised pink buddings from its matted 

 clumps. The ravens rolled in the wind 



