Down came the hawk with a fierce swoop, as if he meant to take the old
hen and the chickens too; but Mother Biddy sprang up and faced him so
boldly, that he did not know what to make of it.

[Illustration: The Chickens That Were Wiser Than Lottie]

She seemed to say, "Come on my fine fellow, if you dare. You have got to
eat me before you eat my chicks; and you'll find me rather tough."

So the hawk changed his mind at the last moment. He thought he would
wait till he could catch the chickens alone. The chickens were saved,
though one of them was nearly dead with fright.

RUTH KENYON.

A HUNT FOR BOY BLUE.

We have a little three-year-old boy at our house, who likes to hear
stories, and his mother tells him a great many. But there is one which
pleases him more than all the rest, and perhaps the little readers of
"The Nursery" will like it too.

You have all heard of little Boy Blue, and how he was called upon to
blow his horn; but I don't think any of you know what a search his
father had to find him. This is the story.

Boy Blue lived on a large farm, and took care of the sheep and cows. One
day the cows got into the corn, and the sheep into the meadow; and Boy
Blue was nowhere to be seen. His father called and called, "Boy Blue,
Boy Blue, where are you? Why do you not look after the sheep and cows?
Where are you?" But no one answered.

[Illustration: Father & Horse]

Then Boy Blue's father went to the pasture, and said, "Horse, horse,
have you seen Boy Blue?" The old horse pricked up his cars, and looked
very thoughtful, but neighed, and said, "No, no: I have not seen Boy
Blue."

[Illustration: Father & Oxen]

Next he went to the field where the oxen were ploughing, and said,
"Oxen, oxen, have you seen Boy Blue?" They rolled their great eyes, and
looked at him; but shook their heads, and said, "No, no: we have not
seen Boy Blue."

[Illustration: Father & Duck]

Next, he went to the pond; and a great fat duck came out to meet him;
and he said, "Duck, duck, have you seen Boy Blue?" And she said, "Quack,
quack, quack! I have not seen Boy Blue." And all the other ducks said,
"Quack, quack!"

[Illustration: Father & Turkey]

Then Boy Blue's father visited the turkeys, and asked the old gobbler if
he had seen Boy Blue. The old gobbler strutted up and down, saying,
"Gobble, gobble, gobble! I have not seen Boy Blue."

[Illustration: Cockerel]

He then asked the cockerel if he had seen Boy Blue.