QUAIL'S NEST. 69 



and waving corn-fields take the place of what was once a lake, 

 and then a marsh, and^instead of pike and wild-fowl there are 

 partridges and pheasants. 



On the way back to Filby the boys took it into their heads 

 to have a game of ' follow my leader.' Frank was chosen as 

 leader, and he led them straight across-country, scorning roads 

 and paths, and choosing the hardest leaps over dykes and 

 fences. Across a meadow Frank saw a very stiff thorn fence 

 on the other side of which was a stubble-field. Collecting all 

 his strength, he made a rush at it, but failing to clear it, 

 his foot caught near the top, and he fell headlong into the next 



AFRICAN BUSH QUAIL. 



field. Dick followed his leader with commendable imitation, 

 and sprawled on the top of him ; but Jimmy could only breast 

 the hedge, and sat down on the spot whence he had taken his 

 spring. Dick was up again in a moment, but Frank remained 

 kneeling on the ground with something between his hands. 



"What is it, Frank?" said Dick. 



" A bird. I fell upon it. It was on its nest, and I have 

 smashed three of the eggs, but there are five left" 



