DALLYING WITH TEMPTATION. 243 



them come to me.' The listless gait is resumed, de- 

 noting that for the present the chase is given up. 



Graininof the ascent of a low bank that lines the 

 stream which he has just deserted, he stops at the foot 

 of a young beech ; in the green moss that fills the 

 interstices of the otherwise smooth bark is hidden away 

 a cricket ; the turkey pecks at it without catching it — 

 something annoys him. Like the tiny slipper of Cin- 

 derella to the imagination of a young prince, or the 

 glimpses of a waving ringlet or jewelled hand to the 

 glowing passions of a warm, youthful heart, is the re- 

 membrance of that sound that now full two hours ago 

 was first heard by our hero, and has in that long time 

 been but twice repeated. 



He speculates that in the shady woods surrounding 

 him there must wander a mate ; she plucks her food 

 solitarily and calls for him. The moQster man, im- 

 patient to kill his prey, doles not out his music so softly 

 or so daintily ; he fancies that he is not deceived, and 

 that by giving way to his ungallant fears she will be 

 won by another. ^ 



' Cluck ! ' 



How well timed was that call ! The brave gobbler, 

 now entirely off his guard, contracts himself, opens 

 wide his mouth, and rolls forth fearlessly a volume of 

 sound for his answer. 



The stream is crossed in a flutter ; the toes scarcely 

 indent themselves in the soft ground over which they 



B 2 



