He spoke of it to Mrs.
Duncan, and she quieted his fears by raising a delightful hope in their stead.
"Why, Freckles, if it's the hen-bird ye are missing, it's ten to one she's safe," she said.

"She's laid, and is setting, ye silly! Watch him and mark whaur he lichts.

Then follow and find the nest.

Some Sabbath we'll all gang see it." Accepting this theory, Freckles began searching for the nest.

Because these "chickens" were large, as the hawks, he looked among the treetops until he almost sprained the back of his neck.