BIRDS' NESTS. 235 



caught the duck also on her nest, and killed 

 her out of spite to the owner. Little did he 

 think that, by the providence of God, a trifling 

 scrap of paper was to bring to light enough 

 of the truth to prove him guilty. But so it 

 is : the eye of God is always on us, and His 

 finger often points out the criminal to man, 

 in order that men may not run riot in their 

 strong determination not to be found out. 



But to return to the story, which is now 

 drawing to its close. The dread of spending 

 two months in prison so terrified Johnson, 

 that when the constable proceeded to remove 

 him he clung to the rail, and falling on his 

 knees, implored the magistrates to forgive him 

 only this once, and he would never so offend 

 again. 



The magistrates' reply was strict and dig- 

 nified. " We cannot now alter our sentence, 

 as w T e cannot believe, after the hard-hearted- 

 ness you have shown, that your repentance is 



