WILD LIFE ON THE WING 
shelter to be had when the sea-wind whimpered 
through the loopholes and 
blew the cobwebs to and 
fro. At such times the 
jackdaws and pigeons fed 
in the streets and gardens 
of the town, and lolar 
went hungry. Then he 
was driven to forage 
farther afield, and that 
was how he came to recog- 
nize the worth of sanc- 
tuary, for beyond the sha- 
dow of the steeple he was 
an outlaw coveted by 
many and hated by all. 
He learned the thunder of gunshots and 
the whistle of lead : he knew what it was 
to hunt over smooth, cultivated country for 
half a day, nor dare to stoop at bird or 
beast lest some enemy should be lurking 
in the ambush of tree or thicket. But 
gradually he understood that there was a 
zone of safety round the stained-glass windows 
of St. John. Many a time he turned thither 
as to his only refuge in a hostile land. 
No gun was ever pointed at him as he 
perched at ease upon the glittering vane, 
and, like the daws and pigeons, he realized 
52 
