The Rainbow Book: Tales of Fun & Fancy

they realised they were in a glade which looked quite enchanting, and with so many da

said Cyril; "carry th

nd and filled the air-and they stayed to listen to the concert of trills, chirrups, gentle call-notes, cadences, and bursts of tremulous song. And now, against the deep blue sky hovered what looked like a cloud

. But she was strange indeed, for her hands, clasped behind her, drew close together two enormous wings which sprouted from her shoulders and formed part of her white arms; whilst upon her shapely he

id in cooing tones, "and you

Bird-Fairy

ting. "It's because-we want to go our own way-at home we-" he st

asked Dulcie shyl

rary to the Wizard's," an

s-to go on our adventures. It's a grand thing to do," he explained, "speci

if you are willing. Be warned! Let me carry you quickly to th

s head, so Dul

ed. "It's sure to be all right,

ly, with a lingering glance at the

keep that last cha

air was thick with them; they circled three times round the fairy

lcie, looking after them, "I wish I co

about in amazement. His sister was nowhere to be seen. Her disa

"Wherever are you? Come ba

shoulder and began softly to trill into his ear what meant nothing to him. He stroked its smooth plumage. His hand touched so

xclaimed.

ly just a slight hint like that! I say! We shall have to look out! I wonder how you

pair flew away, singing gaily as they rose together, fluttering up and u

ed like a map, and they realised now what was meant by a "bird's-eye view." After a time, still singing, they dropped quickly down to earth. Then Cyril led the way into the Wood, where they perched in one of the highest trees; and they hopped about, scanning th

dily hurt. Then a painful rumour was discussed about poor little Mother Starling, who had been taken unawares by a wild beast with terrible whiskers who was seen to pounce upon her and carry her off-and her husband, who still went about vainly call

discovered in the tree next to them nothing less than the beautiful Bird-Fairy reclining asleep in the branches

pen country, enjoying to the fullest freedom found at last, feeding in the sun-gilded fields, drinking from the pools,

out of its terrible course, and commenced a series of short, zig-zag flights, their eyes starting nearly out of their little heads with fright. The enemy was strong on the wing and remorseless in purpose. The poor larks, with hearts fluttering wildly, were becoming feeble and less alert. The next second the hawk would seize one of its pre

ised and baffled enemy. "Come on n

a moment later it was out of sight, and out of mind, and the

y more," said Dulcie when she

n sight there was so little time to think what to do. That second, too," he

ant now at having gon

put up with," mused Cyril as they walked on-"hunger and

been for the catseyes we should have been eaten up and ended like that." She glanced at the b

re going for-and freedom. We had a ripping time as larks-