WILD LIFE ON THE WING 
Seumas Skerritt was chagrined, for with the 
hawk he saw five shillings disappear, but he 
consoled himself by reflecting that the capture 
was only deferred. Meanwhile it was growing 
late, and, as he did not wish the people in the 
market to see him climbing on the church roof, 
he withdrew, locking the door behind him. 
When the roofs were left in peace at last, lolar 
began to comprehend his plight. The rubber 
which numbed the fangs of the trap prevented 
the jaws from closing right home. Hence his 
legs were merely gripped, not crushed. Indeed, 
so carefully had Skerritt arranged the gin that 
had but one foot been trapped the prisoner 
might almost have pulled the limb from the 
jaws ; but as it was, both feet were held, and, 
flutter as he would, he could but drag the trap 
after him over the roofs and beat his heart out 
over the bare ridges and valleys of slate. 
At first he felt more wrath than fear. With 
whirring wings he fought the iron. Thus 
had he once fought with a great gull whom, 
in a rash moment, he had struck, and for his 
honour dared not let go. He raged up and 
down the gutter, wrenching his legs cruelly, 
bruising himself against the slates. The chain 
jangled merrily behind him as if in mockery. 
He thought that it was the man's step behind, 
and wheeling round, struck at it with his 
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