Traitors on the Gibbet. 85 



but swallows do not frequent solitary buildings so 

 much as those by dwelling-houses, being especially 

 fond of cattle-sheds where cows are milked. 



The proximity of animals apparently attracts 

 them : perhaps in the more exposed places there may 

 be dangers from birds of prey. As for the sparrows, 

 they are innumerable. Some are marked with white 

 patches a few so much so as to make quite a show 

 when they fly. One handsome cock bird has a white 

 ring half round his neck, and his wings are a beautiful 

 partridge-brown. He looks larger than the common 

 sort ; and there are several more here that likewise 

 appear to exceed in size, and to have the same peculiar 

 brown. 



After a while there came the sound of footsteps 

 and a low but cheerful whistle. The keeper having 

 slaked a thirst very natural on such a sultry day re- 

 turned, and re-entered the wood. I had decided that 

 it would be the best plan to follow in his rear, because 

 then there would be little chance of crossing his course 

 haphazard, and the dogs would not sniff any strange 

 footsteps, since the footsteps would not be there till 

 they had gone by. To hide from the eyes of a man 

 is comparatively easy ; but a dog will detect an un- 

 wonted presence in the thickest bush, and run in and 

 set up a yelping, especially if it is a puppy. 



