THE "BLOOD" LINNET 115 



rage, knocking him across a water-dyke, and breaking the 

 cage to pieces, and allowing the only living bird to escape ; 

 so at one fell swoop he was robbed of all his pretty chickens. 

 Nor was the stoat killed, as his noisome trail proved. 



But we trust the old man has since captured a sweet musi- 

 cian who cheers his old age, and for a little seed and water 

 sings to him year in and out. Dear, homely little minstrel 1 

 the poor fenman's chief love ! Farewell, thou lover of the 

 open air and the sunshine ! 



