This morning it is such fine day weather that, after having waited in vain till sunrise for their mother’s return, they resolve to set out on a hunting expedition alone. Necessity is teaching even these four-month-old babies self-reliance!
They start all together and wind their way successfully through the corn; they reach a ditch, and soon after a road—faster and faster they go....
Big is the leader. Red follows close behind, ready to help in the event of her brother being specially lucky. She seconds him carefully; stops instantly when he stops; crouches when he crouches. All the time her flame-coloured eyes sweep round searchingly—and she wears her most knowing expression. Farther back comes Grey with her long hare’s ears thrust forward, her whole attention directed far ahead. She moves forward in spasms, sinking down every other moment to the ground to listen.
A little behind her saunters dreamy little White; she glances carelessly about her at the larks, bumble-bees, her sisters ... anything.
Last of all, far behind the rest, looms “Madness,” shadowed by Tiny—surnamed “Terror.”
“Terror” has of late risen more and more in his brother’s estimation; the cunning little weather-prophet exercises a wonderfully soothing influence on the ever-angry warrior. Possibly it is because the little fellow never with so much as a scowl or an arching of the back dares to oppose him, but when attacked instantly rolls over abjectly in the dust.
Black likes the little coward’s companionship. It is true that he preferred hunting alone—he was naturally of a solitary disposition and could not work in a crowd; but, on the other hand, it was always pleasant to have someone upon whom to vent his anger when his hunting was a failure.
The dawn is beginning to break!
Behind a group of long, irregular clouds which stretch in streaks right across the heavens, the rising sun’s reflected rays shine red and gold. But below the clouds all is darkness, from the depths of which loom the vague outlines of the immediate foreground.
White daisies twinkle round the thickets and wallflowers border the rye-field, while snakeweed and cornflowers shine forth along hedge and path.