ed suddenly, "how I'm going to drop
both ends of this net at just the right moment is more than I can tell."

The net proved to be in serviceable condition. It was some ten yards
by three wide and was of a finely woven mesh. Two ten-foot poles lay
farther back under the ledge. One of these was quickly attached to an
end of the net, then the net wound upon it. The second stake was
fastened to the remaining loose end.

Carrying the net to a level stretch at the top of a ridge, he unrolled
it, then for a full five minutes stood studying it. At last he turned
thoughtfully to the right and strolled along the net. Suddenly
something caught his foot and he sprawled upon the ground.

Rising, he looked at the thing that had tripped him. Then a light of
joy spread over his face.

"Creeping willows!" he exclaimed. "The very thing!"

He spent the next three minutes pulling at long strands of creeping
willows. When he had found two long, strong ones, he left them still
fast to earth at one end and went for his net. One pole he set on end
and proceeded to fasten it there by the aid of the creeping willows,
guying it to right and left, as a flag-pole is often braced. He then
ran out the length of his net and, having pulled it tight, with the
other pole perpendicular, he gave this pole a sudden pull and twist,
then threw it to the ground. The net went flat.

"Capital!" he cried. "That will do it."

Having reset his net he took a long, circular route; he came up at last
a hundred yards from his fence-like net. The dog had followed meekly
at his heels, but now, seeming to sense what was needed, he began
rocking back and forth, first to the right, then to the left. Now and
then a white spot rose a foot or two above the snow to soar forward.
The boy's eyes snapped. Here was sport that meant life to him and to
his dog if they won.

Now they neared the net. His heart beat fast. Suppose the birds
should rise and soar away? Then all this work would be lost. But they
still ran or fluttered forward.

"Must be eight or ten of them," was his mental comment.

Now they were nearing the net. Veering swiftly to one side, the boy
raced to the reclining pole. Lifting it lightly he drew the net to
position. So white were the birds that he could scarcely distinguish
them from the snow. But, suddenly, he caught a faint shock. A bird in
low flight had struck the net. With wildly beating heart, he threw the
net to the sn