BIRDS OF PREY 169 



heard all about it later on. The man sent a message 

 to the keeper, saying he wanted to see him at once. 



' Has anything broke loose this mornin', or is a 

 elephint comin' to live in one o' them cages, as you 

 wants to see me so perticklar ? ' he asked, when he 

 came in answer to the owl-caretaker's hasty summons. 



' No, we ain't got to keepin' elephints just yet/ was 

 the reply, ' though we may get to that pitch in course 

 o' time there's no sayin', for there's some wild boars 

 comin', that's certain. But what do ye think, I've 

 got orders for ye to ketch a hare an' bring it here by 

 twelve o'clock.' 



4 What for?' 



' Why, for these 'ere owls.' 



' 'Tain't to be done. Master can have a dead 'un ; 

 an' that's a lot too good fur them goblin things.' 



' Well, you knows your own business, I s'pose. I 

 kin just tell him what you say on the p'int.' 



' Don't you be a fool ; you won't do nothing o' 

 the sort. Do you think as I wants to lose my place ? ' 



'Well, by the way you spoke I thought you 

 warn't perticklar about it. You just look thear 

 you see them fresh perches, them pine boughs with 

 the bark on, and that thear lump o' dry sifted drift 

 sa nd?' 



' Well, I see that. What do ye mean ? ' 



