174 More Tales of the Birds 



turnpike-keeper who did the mischief. He had 

 seen me come down to the cottage, and he 

 couldn't resist the reward they offered early 

 next morning to any one who caught me. He 

 sent up a message to the school, and at nine 

 o'clock the master and two policemen walked 

 into the house. Nelly didn't try to fight this 

 time, but she spoke up and told them it was 

 all her doing and neither mine nor Uncle Jonas's. 

 She told them that she had brought Mag to 

 see me all the way from home, and that she 

 was sure I wouldn't run away any more if I 

 might have Mag with me there. 



"It was well for me that my wonderful 

 Nelly kept her senses and could use her 

 tongue, for my luck began to turn from that 

 time forwards. The sergeant of police patted 

 her on the head, and took Mag's cage himself; 

 and the other policeman put into his pocket 

 the handcuffs he had begun to fasten on my 

 wrists, saying they were 'too big for such a 

 kid ; ' and even the master said that though I 

 was in a bad scrape, he would speak for me 

 to the magistrates. 



