4.  “He had lain for a long time in the snow, and was too weak to walk.

5.  “He felt something pull him by the coat, and heard the bark of a dog.  He put out his hand, and felt the dog.  The dog gave him another pull.

6.  “This gave the poor boy some hope, and he took hold of the dog.  He drew himself out of the snow, but ho could not stand or walk.

7.  “He got on the dog’s back, and put his arms round the dog’s neck, and held on.  He felt sure that the dog did not mean to do him any harm.

8.  “Thus he rode all the way to the good men’s house.

9.  “They took care of him, till the snow was gone.  Then they sent him to his home.”

LESSON LII.

oak dusk fight squeak ruf’fled

bag Fred whoo a wake’ creep’ing

THE OWL.

1.  “Where did you get that owl, Harry?”

2.  “Fred and I found him in the old, hollow oak.”

3.  “How did you know he was there?”

4.  “I’ll tell you.  Fred and I were playing ‘hide and seek’ round the old barn, one night just at dusk.

5.  “I was just creeping round the corner, when I heard a loud squeak, and a big bird flew up with something in his claws.

6.  “I called Fred, and we watched him as he flew to the woods.  Fred thought the bird was an owl, and that he had a nest in the old oak.

7.  “The next day we went to look for him, and, sure enough, he was there.”

8.  “But how did you catch him?  I should think he could fight like a good fellow with that sharp bill.”

9.  “He can when he is wide awake; but owls can’t see very well in the daytime, and he was taking a nap.

10.  “He opened his great eyes, and ruffled up his feathers, and said, “Whoo!  Whoo!’ ‘Never mind who,’ Fred said, and slipped him into a bag.”

LESSON LIII.

while bones scarce’ly mous’er

mice rolled sur prised’ swal’lows

wink’ing com’ic al duck’lings cap’ture

[Illustration:  Boy catching owl in tree.]

THE OWL.  (CONCLUDED.)

1.  “What are you going to do with him, Harry?”

2.  “Let him go.  He doesn’t like this cage half so well as his old oak tree.  A young owl can be tamed easily, but this one is too old to tame.”

3.  “But won’t he catch all your ducklings and little chickens?”

4.  “No, not while there are any rats or mice around.  Father says an owl is a good mouser, and can catch more mice than half a dozen cats.”

5.  “I’m glad I had a look at him before you let him go.  What soft feathers he has!”

6.  “Yes, he can fly so softly that you can scarcely hear him, and for this reason he can easily surprise and capture his prey.”