CARPE DIEM 189 



where we had found a beautifully constructed 

 golden-crested wren's nest, suspended from the 

 under side of a branch, A. suddenly clasped me 

 round the middle, and gave me a very neat back 

 throw. 



" Hullo ! what's that for ? " I exclaimed, con- 

 siderably astonished as I sat on the ground. 



" Your foot was just poised over that beggar," he 

 said, pointing to a big brown adder, which was gliding 

 away like an animated ash-stick. 



" Ah, thanks ; there are too many of those fellows 

 here." 



We had eaten the two pies, and as four o'clock 

 drew near we got mighty hungry again. 



"Just hand me over another pie, old fellow, 

 Nature abhors a vacuum," said A. 



" I haven't got any more," I answered. 



" Not got any more ? dear ! " After a pause, 

 " I am hungry." In a little while longer A. started 

 off, saying, " You mind my rod while I am away. 

 I am going foraging for food. I'll try and catch a 

 rabbit, and eat him alive, oh ! I've been meditating 

 upon those fish, but I don't like the look of them. 



He was cfone for about half an hour, during which 

 time I had landed three fish. When he came back 

 he had the countenance of a man who had dined 

 well. He said to me, 



