beach, and presently was startled by the sound of such terror and distress that it went to my heart at once. In a moment a poor little sandpiper emerged from the bushes, dragging itself along in such a way that, had you seen it, you would have concluded that nearly every bone in its body had been broken.

6. Its wings dropped, and its legs hung as if almost lifeless. It uttered continually a shrill cry of pain, and kept just out of the reach of my hand, fluttering hither and thither as if wounded and weary.

7. At first I was amazed, and cried out, "Why, what is the matter?" and stood watching it in mute dismay. Suddenly it occurred to me that this was only my sandpiper's way of concealing from me a nest. The object was to make me follow her by pretending that she could not fly, and so lead me away from her treasure.

8. So I stood perfectly still, lest I should tread upon the precious habitation, and quietly observed my deceitful little friend. Her desperate condition grew so comical, when I reflected that it was only affectation, that I could not help laughing long and loud.

9. "Dear Gossip," I called to her, "pray, don't give yourself so much trouble. You might know I wouldn't hurt you or your nest for the world, you most absurd of birds!"

10. As if she understood me, and as if she could not bear to be ridiculed, up she rose at once, strong and graceful, and flew off with a full, round, clear note, delicious to hear.

11. Then I cautiously looked for the nest, and found it close to my feet, near the stem of a stunted bayberry bush. Mrs. Sandpiper had only drawn together a few bayberry leaves, brown and glossy, a pale green lichen, and a twig or two.

12. That was a pretty enough house; for her four eggs, about as large as robin's, were within, and laid evenly with the small ends together, as is the tidy fashion of the Sandpiper family. No wonder I did not see them, for they were pale green like the lichen, with brown spots of the color of the leaves and twigs, and they seemed a part of the ground, with its pale, soft tints.

13. I could not admire them enough, but to relieve my little friend's anxiety I very soon came away, and as I walked I marveled much that so very small a head should contain such an amount of cunning.

1. Gorges, houstonias, rapture, curlews, emerged, desperate, deceitful, affectation, ridiculed, cautiously, lichen, marveled.

2. Is a crow a black bird? Did you know that birds often pretend to be hurt, in order to draw one away from their nests? How are eggs generally placed in birds' nests? Does ie ever follow c in a word?

LXXXVI. JOHN HOWIESON.

1. The old town of Stirling, grandly situated on an eminence near the river Forth, contains nothing of remarkable interest except Stirling Castle, which is now kept as a fortress, but was once a favorite royal residence.

2. There is a narrow road leading down the precipice behind the castle and called Ballangeich, which in Gaelic means "windy pass."

3. King Jans the Fifth used to pass out by this way when he went on secret expeditions in disguise, as he was fond of doing,—and he took a name from it, calling himself "The Guidman of Ballangeich." He had many amusing adventures in this way, one of which I will relate.

4. On one of these secret and solitary excursions, he was attacked by four or five ruffians on the narrow bridge of Cramond. Being very strong, and a good swordsman, he was able to defend himself for some time against all his enemies, but he received several slight wounds, and his strength was about failing him, when a peasant came running by, and, seeing one mar, beset by such an unfair number, generously took his part.

5. This peasant was armed only with a flail, but he boldly attacked his assailants, beat upon their shoulders so sturdily, and gave them so sound a thrashing that they were soon glad to take to their

heels. He then took the king into his barn, gave him water and a towel to wash the blood from his hands and face, and afterward walked with him homeward to prevent another attack.

6. Without telling his own rank, the king asked his preserver who he was. The peasant answered that he was John Howieson, a poor bondsman on the farm of Braehead, which belonged to His Majesty. James then asked if there was any wish which he had particularly at heart.

7. "Oh, yes!” replied John; "if I could own the farm I labor on I should be the happiest man in the world, happier even than the king, with all his riches and glory, for it isn't likely that I should be troubled with so many cares or beset by so many enemies as he." The king sighed at this, and honest John continued, "And, now, if I bold, please tell me who you are."

may

be so

8. Oh, I'm the Guidman of Ballangeich,-just a poor man, who has a small office in the king's palace; but if you will come to see me next Sunday, I will try to recompense you for your assistance to-day, at least I can show you the royal apartments."

9. John thanked him heartily, and so they parted. The king did not fail to give orders that his country friend should be admitted when he should ask at the palace gate for the "Guidman of Ballangeich.”