Redruff 



creeping hemlocks, a splendid pine. It was six 

 feet through, and its first branches began at the 

 tops of the other trees. Its top in summer-time 

 was a famous resort for the bluejay and his 

 bride. Here, far beyond the reach of shot, in 

 warm spring days the jay would sing and dance 

 before his mate, spread his bright blue plumes 

 and warble the sweetest fairyland music, so 

 sweet and soft that few hear it but the one for 

 whom it is meant, and books know nothing at 

 all about it. 



This great pine had an especial interest for 

 Redruff, now living near with his remaining 

 young one, but its base, not its far-away crown, 

 concerned him. All around were low, creep- 

 ing hemlocks, and among them the partridge- 

 vine and the wintergreen grew, and the sweet 

 black acorns could be scratched from under the 

 snow. There was no better feeding-ground, 

 for when that insatiable gunner came on them 

 there it was easy to run low among the hemlock 

 to the great pine, then rise with a derisive 

 whirr behind its bulk, and keeping the huge 

 trunk in line with the deadly gun, skim off in 

 safety. A dozen times at least the pine had 



352 



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