44 



THE SWAN AND HER CREW. 



the strange cries of the night-birds the call of the water-hen, 

 the hoarse bark of the coot, the cackle of wild ducks, and the 

 host of other noises which they could not account for, kept 

 them awake and on the qut vive. 



"What's that?" said Dick, after they had been quiet for 

 some time. 



A noise like a" clap of thunder was to be heard, re- 

 peated at regular intervals, and growing louder, as if ap- 

 proaching them. They rushed on deck to see what was the 

 cause of it, and were relieved to find that it was only a belated 



THE BARN OWL AND EGG. 



wherry beating up to windward, her canvas flapping each time 

 she put about on a fresh tack. The men on board of her 

 shouted " Good night " as they passed, and after this the boys 

 felt more comfortable, and again courted sleep. They were 

 just dropping off, when " patter, patter," went something on 

 deck. Some one, or some thing had boarded them, and Frank 

 went out to see what it was. A coot had come aboard to see 

 if there might be anything eatable there, and she flew away as 



