he Big River just as sweet
Mistress Moon was beginning to throw her silvery light over the Great
World. There was a sandy bar in the Great River at this point, and Peter
squatted on the bank just where this sandy bar began.

It seemed to Peter that he had sat there half the night, but really it
was only a short time, before he heard a low signal out in the Black
Shadows which covered the middle of the Big River. It was the voice
of Honker. Then Peter saw little silvery lines moving on the water and
presently a dozen great shapes appeared in the moonlight. Honker and his
friends were swimming in. The long neck of each of those great birds
was stretched to its full height, and Peter knew that each bird was
listening for the slightest suspicious sound. Slowly they drew near,
Honker in the lead. They were a picture of perfect caution. When they
reached the sandy bar they remained quiet, looking and listening for
some time. Then, sure that all was safe, Honker gave a low signal and
at once a low gabbling began as the big birds relaxed their watchfulness
and came out on the sandy bar, all save one. That one was the guard,
and he remained with neck erect on watch. Some swam in among the rushes
growing in the water very near to where Peter was sitting and began to
feed. Others sat on the sandy bar and dressed their feathers. Honker
himself came ashore close to where Peter was sitting.

"Oh, Honker," cried Peter, "I'm so glad you're back here safe and
sound."

Honker gave a little start, but instantly recognizing Peter, came over
close to him. As he stood there in the moonlight he was truly handsome.
His throat and a large patch on each side of his head were white. The
rest of his head and long, slim neck were black. His short tail was also
black. His back, wings, breast and sides were a soft grayish-brown. He
was white around the base of his tail and he wore a white collar.

"Hello, Peter," said he. "It is good to have an old friend greet me.
I certainly am glad to be back safe and sound, for the hunters with
terrible guns have been at almost every one of our resting places, and
it has been hard work to get enough to eat. It is a relief to find one
place where there are no terrible guns."

"Have you come far?" asked Peter.

"Very far, Peter; very far," replied Honker. "And we still have very far
to go. I shall be thankful when the journey is over, for on me depends
the safety of all those with me, and it is a great respon