AN EXCITING SAIL. 8 1 



Large portions of Breydon are dry at low tide, and are there 

 called "muds," or "flats." On these muds flocks -of sea-fowl 

 congregate. 



" These are capital places in the winter for wild-fowl shoot- 

 ing," said Frank, " we must have a day's sport here in the next 

 hard frost Bell will come with us, and show us some good fun, 

 I am sure." 



" My father has a big swivel duck-gun somewhere about. If 

 that will be of any use I will look it up," said Dick. 



" Of course it will be of use, old man. Just the thing we 

 want. Haul in her sheet, Jimmy. We can sail a point nearer 

 to the wind, if we choose. I say, this is fine ! What muffs we 

 were to think that there was any danger, or that the yacht 

 could not do it. See how well she behaves ! But there, I am 

 putting her too full, and she was very nearly capsized. The 

 man at the wheel must not speak, so don't talk to me." 



" This may be fine fun for you, Frank, but my hands have 

 nearly all the skin taken off them by the rope. It is jolly hard 

 work holding on to this, I can tell you," said Jimmy, who, 

 indeed, had got his work cut out for him. 



" Same here," said Dick ; " I don't care how soon it is over, 

 for my hands are awfully flayed. I wish we could make the 

 sheet fast." 



" Ah, you must not do that, or we shall be upset at the next 

 gust," said Frank. 



After an hour and a half of very exciting sailing, they had 

 sailed the five miles of Breydon Water, and ran into the 

 smoother current of the Waveney. Here, also, they got the 

 wind more aslant, and skimmed along at a great pace with very 

 little labour. In this way, they sailed some fifteen miles, and 

 at length came to anchor in a sheltered spot under a wood- 

 crowned bank not far from Beccles. After making all snug 

 and eating their dinner, the most natural thing to do was to 

 explore the wood near them. They left the yacht, and 

 crossing a meadow they entered the wood. It was a thick 

 fir-plantation and promised well for nests. 



"What is that one?" said Jimmy, pointing to a nest in a 

 tall fir-tree, "is it a crow's, or an old wood-pigeon's, or a 

 hawk's ? Who will go up and see ? " 



" I will," said Frank, and up he went hand over hand among 

 the thick boughs. As he neared the top, he was obliged to 



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