"
`"But I had no notion that anything was going to fly up just at our
feet like that," cried he.
`"A good shot," I replied, "must be prepared for surprises: neither
wild birds nor wild beasts will send you notice that they are about to
fly or to run."
`"What sort of bird can it have been?' inquired Jack.
`"Oh, it certainly must have been an eagle," answered little Franz, "it
was so very big!"
`"Just as if every big bird must be an eagle!" replied Ernest, in a
tone of derision.
`"Let's see where he was sitting, at all events!" said I.
`Jack sprang towards the place, and instantly a second bird, rather
larger than the first, rushed upward into the air, with a most
startling noise.
`The boys stood staring upwards, perfectly stupefied, while I laughed
heartily, saying, "Well, you are first-rate sportsmen, to be sure! You
certainly will keep my larder famously well supplied!"
`At this, Ernest coloured up, and looked inclined to cry, while Jack
put on a comical face, pulled off his cap, and with a low bow, called
after the fugitive, "Adieu for the present, sir! I live in hopes of
another meeting!"
`On searching the ground carefully, we discovered a rude sort of nest
made untidily of dry grass. It was empty, although we perceived broken
egg-shells at no great distance, and concluded that the young brood had
escaped among the grass, which, in fact, we could see was waving at a
little distance, as the little birds ran through it.
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