kind of gold cross, fastened to a thin gold chain. Maung Yet gave it to
me as a charm found on the dead woman. I may add that these Karen women
are wonderfully faithful; probably both husband and her own infant were
slain early in the fight, and she had alone been able to take away the
English baby, and had carried him all those weary miles, saving him only
to die herself. The hardships endured are terrible to think of.'

There was a pause--the old General's head was bowed over his clasped
hands. Then he rose to his full height and said: 'It is quite enough to
assure me of what I felt sure of before. I thank God for all His mercy!
and now I should just like to kiss my little grandson before I go. I
will be here again early to-morrow.'

Captain Ferrers and Dr. Rayne, both frequent visitors at Clere, assert
that the General grows younger. It may well be so, for the dark clouds
of sorrow have lifted, and the sun shines for him with the laughter of a
happy child. He can look hopefully forward now to life's evening. He is
not the last of the McLeods.

MARTIA.

[Illustration: "They came hopping in, Paul an easy first."]

THE STARTLED HARES.

Four hares were at dinner one day--
The sweetest of herbage was theirs--
And as they all nibbled away
They seemed to be rid of their cares;
For the grass was so green and the sky was so blue,
They had plenty to eat and nothing to do.

The sun shone so brightly that day,
They did not think danger was near;
The hunters and dogs were away,
There was nothing around to cause fear.
When, alas! from the sky there dropped with a plump,
A something which made their poor hearts give a jump.

[Illustration:

"After all, I will wait--
I must hurry off home, it is getting quite late!"]

Poor Fred was knocked backward at once,
And Charlie fell flat on the ground,
While Peter stretched out his long legs
And fled without making a sound;
But Tom, who was boastful, cried, 'Stop! Don't you see,
It is only a kite from its string broken free!

'Just let me catch hold of that boy,
I'll give him a box on the ear--
I'll teach him to fly his old kite
Beside us, to cause us such fear....
Why, there _is_ the boy! After all, I will wait--
I must hurry off home, it is getting quite late!'

Then off with a rush went brave Tom,