SWAN'S NEST. ' 10 i" 



narrow and sinuous dyke which appeared to lead into the 

 broad. They pushed their way along this for some distance 

 until it became so narrow and shallow that they could scarcely 

 get on. Just then they came round a corner of reeds, and to 

 their dismay found that they had come suddenly upon a swan's 

 nest. The female swan was sitting upon a huge pile of sticks 

 placed on a small reedy island. Round this island the male 

 swan was swimming in a very stately fashion, and when he saw 

 the boys coming so near his beloved, he swam towards them, 



with his wings and tail raised and set out in a way that unmis- 

 takably told them he meant war. They hastily pushed back, 

 but the punt stuck in the mud, and Frank had to take an oar 

 and keep the swan at bay with it, while the others pushed the 

 punt off and back again. 



" Pray, look sharp," said Frank, " I cannot keep him at 

 bay much longer without my hurting him or his hurting me." 



" We're doing our best," said Jimmy, and missing his footing 

 as he spoke he fell into the mud and water. 



