om his exertions.

Who can describe the scene that followed--the mother's calmness while
striving to bring her boy to life, and her wild gratitude to his
preserver, when the child was out of danger, and sweetly sleeping in her
arms?

"God will give you a reward," said she. "He will do great things for you
in return for this day's work, and the blessings of thousands besides
mine will attend you."

And so it was: for, to the hero of that hour were afterward confided the
destinies of a mighty nation. Throughout his long career, what tended to
make him honored and respected beyond all men, was the spirit of
self-sacrifice which, in the rescue of that mother's child, as in the
more important events of his life, characterized George Washington.

* * * * *

Directions for Reading.--Read the first two pages of the lesson
quietly, but not slowly. About the middle of page 299, the manner of
reading should be changed, when the feeling of anxiety is turned to
that of joy.[19]

* * * * *

Language Lesson.--Let pupils rewrite the first paragraph of the lesson,
changing _past tenses_ to _present tenses_ throughout.

What effect will this change have upon the meaning?

[19] This lesson, seventh paragraph from the end.

* * * * *

LESSON LXIII

ex ist'ing, _living_.

mas'sive _large and solid_.

hy e'na, _a beast of prey_.

cau'tion, _great care_.

strat'a gem, _a secret way; trick_.

de pends', _trusts to_.

mar'vel ous, _wonderful_.

jack'al, _a beast of prey_.

pro cure', _obtain_.

a dorn', _make beautiful_.

* * * * *

THE OSTRICH.

The ostrich is the largest of all birds now existing, and is found
chiefly in the sandy deserts of Africa and Arabia.

A full-grown African ostrich stands from seven to nine feet in height,
to the top of its head, and will weigh from two to three hundred pounds.

The body of the ostrich is large and massive; the legs are long,
measuring four feet or more, and the neck is of about the same length as
the legs.

The head is small for so large a bird; but its feet with their two great
toes are of good size, and possess astonishing strength.

An ostrich's beak is short and blunt; its neck slender and covered with
gray down. Its eyes are large and bright, and the sense of sight so keen
that it can readily see a distanc