OF 



ORS\JfE STORY OF THE THISTLE 23 



One day, weary and worn, they lay down on 

 the ground to take a little rest. 



Each soldier wrapped his blanket about him. 

 Soon all were sound asleep. 



Something came stealing up on the other side 

 of the hill. 



Nearer and nearer it came. 



It was the Northmen creeping stealthily 

 along. 



Sometimes the dry branches of the tree would 

 snap, as the soldiers put them aside, 



Or the crisp leaves would crackle noisily under 

 their feet. 



" Sh ! Sh ! " the leader would say. 



The man in the moon saw them coming, as he 

 peeped through the clouds. 



Quickly he brushed away the clouds. He 

 tried to waken the Scots by sending his beams 

 right into their eyes. 



But still the Scots slept on. 



At last, a brave thistle said to itself : 



" I shall save Scotland even if I die for 

 it." 



Raising high his sharp, thorny head, he stood 

 in the path of the savages. 



In another moment a great naked foot came 



