NEST IN BOOT. 105 



does when the spring is touched, at the same time uttering a 

 howl of pain. 



" What is the matter? " said Frank. 



" I do not know," answered Marston, poking his head into 

 the cabin again to see what was there, while he rubbed his 

 back disconsolately. The fact of the matter was that he had 

 sat down in the corner where the hawks were, and they, seeing 

 an inviting bit of bare flesh between the waistband of his 

 breeches and his jersey, had saluted him with a one, two, of very 

 remarkable poignancy. 



Jimmy's delight at this incident was unbounded. He felt 

 now that he was amply repaid for the damage to his own big 

 toe. When the general laugh at fhis incident had subsided, 

 Marston said : 



" I say, Frank, we are going to row a race with the Norwich 

 Rowing Club. A four-oared race ; it comes off the day after 

 to-morrow; and most unfortunately our No. 3 has sprained his 

 wrist and cannot row, and we did not know what to do. We 

 have no other man big enough to take his place who is in 

 condition. We were discussing the matter as you came up. 

 Now, you are a good rower; will you row for us?" 



Frank was pleased at the invitation, especially as it was 

 backed up by the others most cordially ; but he said 



'' I have not rowed for so long a time that I am quite out of 

 condition/* 



" Oh, nonsense, you look in perfect condition. If you have 

 been out for a week's yachting you must be in capital condition. 

 Do row, or we shall lose the race to a certainty." 



" You had better row, Frank," said both Jim and Dick 

 together, but he still hesitated. 



" Come, Dick," said Jim, " let us go and birds'-nest in the 

 wood while Frank listens to the voice of the charmer." 



So off they went, leaving Frank and the others to settle the 

 question between them. 



Behind the inn there rose a steep wood-crowned bank, and 

 it was to this that the two boys directed their steps. On their 

 way they passed a skittle-alley, and Dick said to the man in 



charge 





" Can you show us any birds' nests ? " 

 " Yes, I can show you one in a very rum place. Look into 

 that old pair of boots hanging against the wall." 



