226 THE PECCHIO. 



hands, doubtless, of those two-legged giants who do more 

 mischief in our beautiful world than all other creatures put to- 

 gether), and nothing left of those useful animals I had come 

 to seek, except a few trampled remains which it made my 

 heart ache to look upon. It was too late to go further, but 

 not bearing to return as I went, I resolved to take quite a 

 new beat home, in hopes either of meeting with another herd 

 of our milch-kine, or of finding some of that sweet vegetable 

 food which serves us at once for milk and bread. I was in- 

 tent, eyes and mind, on this search, and had forgot nearly all 

 about the pitfalls, when, all on a sudden, I found myself in 

 the midst of the most delicious perfume not of flowers only, 

 but of the very thing I was seeking and saw, to my delight, 

 that I was, coming to a large oak-tree covered at the top with 

 a woodbine in full blossom. I knew by the mingled scent 

 that the leaves, both of tree and creeper, must be covered with 

 that precious manna which kind Providence rains for our sup- 

 port. It is true I had a long way to climb before I could 

 reach one of the laden branches, but reach them, thought I, I 

 will, if that Providence do but aid my efforts. I was just 

 about to ascend when I heard a tremendous knocking over 

 head, and on looking up perceived, on the trunk of the oak, 

 an enormous Pecchio, one of those red-headed, winged dragons 

 which, as you know, are amongst our most cruel enemies ; but 

 at that moment, would you believe it ? I felt no more afraid 

 of him than if he had been a mouse, and only wished myself 



