SUMMER HEAT 177 



not far short of a hundred, a large covey of red- 

 legged partridges, many starlings, and about thirty 

 missel-thrushes, all gathered at one spot on and near 

 the big barrow on the hill top. I should have been 

 glad to sit down quietly among them, but they would 

 not have it so, birds having no power to distinguish 

 those who wish for a " better friendship " with them ; 

 and so, some with a discontented caw or croak, others 

 with whir of wings, and still others with harsh scold- 

 ing notes, they all flew away in different directions, 

 and left me with no companions except those wan 

 people who are always with us and look less substan- 

 tial than ever in the strong sunlight; and with 

 nothing to think about but an old unhappy thing; 

 how on "that dim day of light," May 14, 1264, dead 

 bodies covered the ground, and gasping and groaning 

 was heard on every side ; and either was desirous of 

 bringing the other out of life, and the father spared 

 not the Sonne, nor the sonne the father, and christian 

 blood was shed without pitie on all that green solitary 

 hill. 



The shepherd of the downs, out for the day in 

 summer, has a provision against thirst in his can of 

 water or cold tea, which is usually kept concealed in 

 a furze-bush. To carry water is a precaution which 

 I never take, because, for one reason, I love not 

 to be encumbered with anything except my clothes. 

 Even my glasses, which cannot be dispensed with, 

 are a felt burden. Then too, I always expect to 



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