THE BANTAMS 



we prefer our liberty to anything else. What is food 

 compared with freedom?" 



It was a fine example of concerted action, whether 

 instinctive or prearranged. In less time than it takes 

 to tell it, not a feather was in sight, although tri- 

 umphant clucking echoed by tiny crowings be- 

 trayed their approximate presence. I could almost 

 hear one of the favorites exclaim to my little Chanti- 

 cleer, "Did you ever hear of such treatment? How 

 dared they? It 's abominable." At least that is the 

 way it sounded as she sidled up to him and lifted her 

 beak to his notice. Doubtless they were discussing 

 the situation all about me, for at times a scout would 

 appear in the distance to reconnoiter, to see I suppose 

 if the paddock had assumed its normal aspect. 



I retired. There seemed nothing else left for me 

 to do. But I could not consider myself vanquished. 

 Another plan must be evolved. 



113 



