34 
THE BROWN THRUSHES: 
discovering your loss, and describe your awful 
fears that the young one is dead. I will not, 
at first, inform them of your knowledge that 
they have it, and they will perhaps be more 
likely to return it. Do you not tliink that 
best?’’ 
Perhaps it is,” replied Robin, but I am 
afraid they will not listen to reason now.” 
Possibly not, but it will do no harm to 
try ; so I’ll off at once, and soon return with 
the success of my errand ; ” and at these 
words he flew to the Tlirushes, laughing to 
himself at the folly of people employing a third 
party as mediator in a difficulty that they can 
best adjust themselves. 
Brown and his mate were anxiously await- 
ing the return of the self-constituted mediator, 
hoping that he would meet with good success ; 
but his serious countenance, as he alighted 
near them, showed that his errand had been 
fruitless. 
Well ! what do they say ? ” inquired 
Brown, impatiently. 
Oh !. they refuse decidedly to have any 
