SAILOR BABIES. 



243 



^^ 



sorts of good things to eat, — worms for dinner, minnows for supper, 

 and for breakfast the most delicate and appetizing of flies and 

 beetles. One day, when he brings his wife's dinner (a fine stickle- 

 back), he finds her in a state of great excitement. 



"My dear," she says, "I am going to move. 

 I cannot endure this place another hour. I onl 

 waited to tell you about it." 



" Why, what is the matter, my love':'' 

 asks Mr. G-rebe, in amazement. 



" Some creat- 



ures have been 

 here," answers 

 little madam, in- 

 d i g n a 11 1 1 y , — 

 ly monsters, with 

 cows, I believe 

 called. They 

 up the reeds, and 

 the water ; and , if 

 believe it, Dab- 

 of them nearly 

 / ight over me ; but 

 his face, and gave 

 fright, I can tell 

 the whole thing 

 me very much, 



"huge, ug- 

 h o r n s ; 

 they a re 

 have torn 

 111 u d d i e d 

 yoit Avill 

 chick, one 

 w a I k e d 

 I flew in 

 him a good 

 you. But 

 has unset 

 and 1 am 

 determined to leave the place." 



'* Very well, my love." says the dutiful Dabchick. " Whatever 

 you say is always right ! " 



Accordingly, when she has finished her dinner, Mrs. Grebe puts 

 one foot into the water, and paddles her raft away as skilfully as if 

 she were an Indian in a birch canoe. She steers it round the corners, 

 and paddles on and on, till she find another quiet nook, where 

 there is no sign of any "creatures." Then she draws in her 

 paddle-foot, and broods quietly again, while Mr. Grebe, who has 

 followed her, goes to explore the new surroundings, and see what 

 he can pick up for supper. 



