ze
caught the Kite, and up it went in fine style. It continued to
rise rapidly, and we ran to and fro underneath, shouting all the
time, "O, well done, James White, and well done, Kite!"

By the excellent management of James, the Kite rose and rose,
till we all said, "O, how high! how wonderful!" And then James
White said he was satisfied.

Now you are all to recollect that this Kite was very large. In
the story I told you in summer, where the making of this Kite was
described, you remember that it was said to be as tall as James
White himself, and of course very much broader. The consequence
was, that this Kite was extremely strong. So we all sat down on
the grass to hold the string, which James White said was
necessary, as the Kite struggled and pulled so hard. It was now
up quite as high as the string would allow it to go. But the wind
seemed to be increasing, and James White said he began to be
rather afraid that he must draw the Kite downwards, for fear it
should have a quarrel with the wind up in the clouds, and then
some accident might happen. We accordingly began to draw down the
Kite slowly, winding the string upon the stick as it gradually
descended. But notwithstanding all this care, an accident did
happen after all.

Before the Kite was half-way down, a strong wind suddenly caught
it sideways, and the Kite made a long sweep downwards, like a
swallow, rising up again at some distance, swinging its tail
about in a most alarming manner. "Bless my heart!" said James
White.

Up we all jumped from the grass. "Help me to hold her!" cried James
White; "how she struggles!" Again came the wind, again the Kite
made a sweep down and rose up again, as if indignant--then shook
her tail and wings as if threatening to do some mischief--then made
a quick motion to the right and a dance to the left--then made a
very graceful courtesy deep down, as though she was very politely
saluting the wind, but suddenly rose up with a sharp jerk, as
though she had spitefully altered her mind--and the next moment
made a dart first to the right and then to the left, and continued
to do this till James White said he was sure something must happen.

We all held the string as fast as we could, and tried to pull
down the Kite; but it was impossible, for instead of bringing
her down, we were all three dragged along down the meadow slope,
crying out, "Somebody come and help us! somebody come and help
us!" But nobody else was near. In thi