“Suddenly another shape darkened the glassy surface of the water.  It was the figure of a man in slouched hat and high boots, and long tapering rod in hand.  He seemed to be quite motionless, but far out near the middle of the stream, just where the trout was swimming, danced a brilliant fly.  A leap, a dash, and then began such a whirling mad rush through the water that Arthur knew he would be overthrown.  The trout had seized the fly, and the fisherman, rapidly unreeling his line, waited for the fish to exhaust himself.  Before this was done, however, Arthur was thrown violently off the trout’s back, and by dint of desperate efforts reached the shore, where for a long while he lay motionless.

“When he revived he found himself in long sedgy grass, well shielded from observation.  The trout was nowhere to be seen, and Arthur knew that it was idle to search for him.  Poor fellow! his fate had found him, and no doubt he was lying quietly enough now in the fisherman’s basket.

“’"Streams run into rivers, and rivers to the sea,” and I must look for some other method than the trout’s back.’

“He hopped about wearily, ate a few flies, and then, quite worn out, fell fast asleep.  When he awoke it was dark.  Fire-flies flashed about him brilliantly; stars beamed so brightly that they seemed double, half above in the sky, and half below in the water.  From some overhanging boughs came a dismal hooting.

“‘Hush!’ cried Arthur, impatiently.  ’Why do you want to spoil the night with such wailing?’

“‘I have lost three lovely little owlets,’ was the response.  ’Darling little fluffy cherubs!  Never had an owl-mother three such beauties!’

“‘Where are they?’ asked Arthur.

“‘Devoured by a horrible night-hawk,’ sobbed the owl.

“‘Where has the night-hawk flown?’

“‘Far down the river after prey.’

“‘Why do you not go after him and punish him?’

“‘It is too far, and I am too sorrowful.’

“‘You have no spirit. I would peck his eyes out were I in your place.’

“‘Ah! you are young and strong and brave.’

“‘Take me on your back, and we will fly after him.’

“‘Come, then, and do battle for me, noble friend.’

“Down flew the owl, and up jumped Arthur quickly on its back, inwardly wondering how a frog could be a match for a night-hawk, but quite resolved to aid the poor owl if he could.  With a delightful sense of freedom and glorious liberty, such as he had never before even imagined, they rose high above the tree-tops.

“The moon had now risen, and the air seemed transparent silver.

“Keeping near the border of the river, which had greatly widened, they emerged from one forest only to enter another.

“The wild cries of loons saluted them; herds of deer, cooling themselves in the water, glanced up with startled gaze as they passed.

“A dark bird flapped low over the water as a fish leaped from the waves.