Arnaux 
had not much to distinguish him when at rest, 
for now all of the band had the silver anklet, but 
in the air it was that Arnaux showed his make, 
and when the opening of the hamper gave the 
order “Start,” it was Arnaux that first got 
under way, soared to the height deemed need- 
ful to exclude all local influence, divined the 
road to home, and took it, pausing not for 
food, drink, or company. 
Notwithstanding Billy’s evil forecasts, the 
Big Blue of the Corner-box was one of the 
chosen twenty. Often he was late in return- 
ing; he never was first, and sometimes when 
he came back hours behind the rest, it was 
plain that he was neither hungry nor thirsty, 
sure signs that he was a loiterer by the way. 
Still he had come back; and now he wore on 
his ankle, like the rest, the sacred badge and a 
number from the roll of possible fame. Billy 
despised him, set him in poor contrast with 
Arnaux, but his owner would reply: ‘“ Give 
him a chance; ‘soon ripe, soon rotten,’ an’ I 
always notice the best bird is the slowest to 
show up at first.” 
Before a year little Arnaux had made a rec- 
80 
