As they spoke the owl dropped down on their heads, and its wing being broken by the shot, it fluttered along the ground.
Shouting with laughter, the troopers pursued the unlucky bird, but could not catch it.
"I have had a narrow escape," said Careless to the king, as soon as the coast was clear. "That rogue's bullet came confoundedly near me. Your majesty will now admit that an owl may be of some use. It has helped us to get rid of those rascally troopers."
[CHAPTER V.]
HOW THEY BREAKFASTED IN THE OAK.
Thankful for their escape, the king and Careless remained perfectly quiet for some time, conversing only in whispers, lest an enemy might be lurking near.
More than an hour elapsed without anything occurring to cause them fresh alarm, when a low whistle was heard.
"A signal!" exclaimed Charles.
"It may be a device to induce us to discover ourselves," whispered Careless.