t up, very much
inclined to cry, till a wet nose thrust into her hand startled her.
Bootles was not happy; his whines and the trembling way he pressed close
to her added to her alarm.

Taking him into her arms she hugged him, while he tried to lick her
face. He was some comfort after all, and his presence gave her courage.

'Oh, if I had only remembered what Auntie said, and not come here,' she
sobbed, hiding her face on the dog's back. 'We must try, but I don't
believe we shall ever get out of this dreadful place! Oh, I do wish I
could tell Auntie I am sorry! I did not stop to think that it was wrong
to follow you, poor Bootles.'

The thought that she was shut into the ruin was very terrifying, and
after a little effort to move, which resulted in a fall over a mound,
she sank upon the damp ground, sobbing in despair. Bootles, as if he
understood, struggled free and whined. It was too dark for her to see
his efforts to show her a way out of the mass of fallen rubbish.

(_Continued on page 182._)

SIR RALPH ABERCROMBY.

In the battle of Alexandria, Sir Ralph Abercromby was mortally wounded.
He was carried on board a man-of-war in a litter, and a soldier's
blanket was put under his head as a cushion, so that he might lie more
easily. The ready-made pillow was a great comfort to him, and he asked
what it was.

'A soldier's blanket, sir,' was the answer.

'Whose blanket?' he asked, raising himself on his elbow.

'Only one of the men's.'

'Which of the men does it belong to?' he asked again.

'To Duncan Roy of the 42nd.'

'Then see that Duncan Roy gets his blanket this very night.'

MAY DAY.

A long time ago a great many strange things used to happen on May Day.
It used to be the jolliest day in the year; boys and girls used to be
very happy looking forward to it, and as the day drew near, very busy in
getting ready for the festival that took place.

I expect you have all heard of the May Queen. The prettiest little girl
in the village was chosen 'Queen' by her companions. She was crowned
with flowers, and sat on a throne in an arbour, while all the other
children used to treat her just as if she were a real queen. In the
evening they used to have a Maypole dance, while the little queen sat
and watched them.

Another May custom was the Maypole. Other countries besides England have
them. If you went to France, Holland, or Austria, you would see them
there even now--much prettier than the E