The moment they caught sight of me, they called out to me to come and join them, which I did; and we played together as we had done years ago, till the red sun went down in the west, and the gray fog began to rise from the river.

Then we went home together with a strange happiness.

As we went, we heard the continually renewed larum of a landrail in the long grass.

One of my brothers and I separated to a little distance, and each commenced running towards the part whence the sound appeared to come, in the hope of approaching the spot where the bird was, and so getting at least a sight of it, if we should not be able to capture the little creature.

My father's voice recalled us from trampling down the rich long grass, soon to be cut down and laid aside for the winter.