'THE PARTRIDGES" OF MUSKOKA 223 



minutes now no answer came back. The flock 

 grew uneasy ; the leader ran from his log into 

 the brush and back again, calling loudly, while 

 a low chatter, the first break in their strange 

 silence, ran back and forth through the family 

 on the log. 



u There were others to come ; but where were 

 they, and why did they tarry ? It was growing 

 late ; already an owl had hooted, and the roosting- 

 place was still far away. ' Prut, prut, pr-r-eee,' 

 called the leader, and the chatter ceased as the 

 whole flock listened. 



<c I turned my head to the hillside to listen also 

 for the laggards ; but there was no answer. 

 Save for the cry of a low-flying loon and the 

 snap of a twig too sharp and heavy for little 

 feet to make the woods were all silent. As 

 I turned to the log again, something warm and 

 heavy rested against my side. Then I knew ; 

 and with the knowledge came a swift thrill of 

 regret that made me feel guilty and out of place 

 in the silent woods. The leader was calling, the 

 silent flock were waiting for two of their number 

 who would never answer the call again. 



" I lay scarcely ten yards from the log on which 

 the sad little drama went on in the twilight 



