4 THE FACE OF THE FIELDS 



so with a single turn above the woods he was 

 gone. 



The scurrying hens stopped to look about 

 them. There was nothing in the sky to see. They 

 stood still and silent a moment. The rooster 

 chucked. Then one by one they turned back into 

 the open pasture. A huddled group under the 

 hen-yard fence broke up and came out with the 

 others. Death had flashed among them, but had 

 missed them. Fear had come, but had gone. 

 Within two minutes — in less time — from the 

 fall of the stroke, every hen in the flock was intent 

 at her scratching, or as intently chasing the gray 

 grasshoppers over the pasture. 



Yet, as they scratched, the high-stepping cock 

 would frequently cast up his eye toward the tree- 

 tops ; would sound his alarum at the flight of a 

 robin ; and if a crow came over, he would shout 

 and dodge and start to run. But instantly the 

 shadow would pass, and instantly chanticleer — 



He loketh as it were a grim leoun, 

 And on his toos he rometh up and doun; 



Thus roial, as a prince is in an halle. 



He wasn't afraid. Cautious, alert, watchful he 



