292 THROUGH LIBRARY WINDOWS 



experience several times in the past, both alone 

 and with others. Now circumstances favoring, 

 I was soon equipped for my "night watch." The 

 night was perfect and the moon would not rise 

 until after midnight. I passed through the 

 garden and moved quietly to the edge of the 

 , forest and took my selected and prepared place, 

 ; leaning up against a sturdy old oak. 



At first the stillness oppressed me, then it 

 '. soothed. Only a gentle starlight revealing 

 things in blurred outline. Ear and eye acute 

 'and nothing escaped. The woods are so silent 

 [and shadowy and dreamful. Things are asleep 

 this night hour. The few prowling beasts and 

 [birds do not rouse the sleepers. Nature may 

 sense it all but does not show it. The squirrels 

 are all asleep and at ease because of full lar- 

 ders. The Owl is prowling on wings as softly 

 as a thistle blossom floats, and darts for a 

 mouse within a few feet of where I stand and 

 carries it off squealing. A Night Hawk swirls 

 about suspiciously and hastily retreats. The 

 moon is just rising and diffuses a little extra 

 light. A watching fox has caught sight of a 

 rabbit out in the clover patch and there is a 

 race for life. My! but it was lively. Jackie 

 was too fleet and knew his field and disap- 

 peared and Reynard lost a royal feast, and rest- 



