Then another sheaf was unbound and cast on the floor, and the blows of the flails began again.

It went on thus for an hour and a half, and Gibbie although he dropped asleep several times, was nearly stupid with the noise.

The men at length, however, swept up the corn and tossed up the straw for the last time, and went out.

Gibbie, judging by his own desires, thought they must have gone to eat, but did not follow them, having generally been ordered away the moment he was seen in a farmyard.

He crept out, however, and began to look about him--first of all for something he could eat.