ough a broken hedge,
fell into the neighbouring ditch; great was their mirth when
another's gun went off and lamed a squirrel in an adjoining
tree; and joyous was the shout with which they scared a
frightened rabbit from its morning meal.

At last the sportsmen came to the side of a wood, and one of
the beaters reported that just round the corner of the
palings he could see nearly a dozen hares feeding together.
A council of war was summoned; each sportsman looked to the
priming of his gun, and trod with a more cautious step; each
beater bent his head nearly to the ground, and crept along
the grass. A plan of attack was formed; the beaters stole
within the wood to stop the hares that way, while the
sportsmen suddenly appearing on the other side, caused the
poor hares, surrounded as they were, to run into the very
jaws of destruction. They that leaped towards the wood
received blows on their heads from the beaters; they that
ran down the hill met Ponto the dog, who pounced on them
open-mouthed; and they that ran upwards were soon sent
downwards again, toppling head over heels, killed by the
fire of the enemy. Not a hare escaped. The gun-bearers took
deadly aim, and Ponto and the beaters prevented their
flight.

While the young sportsmen and their helpers were yet picking
up the hares and rejoicing at their good fortune, the sky
became quickly overcast, black clouds gathered, and a
hurricane of wind swept through the wood, tearing off large
branches of the trees. The sportsmen stood amazed at the
suddenness of the storm, but presently their amazement was
changed to fear; for, riding in a bright chariot drawn by
six snow-white swans,--blown swiftly by the wind,--there
appeared a lady of fairy-like beauty. At her command the
beautiful birds stayed their flight, and the chariot rested
on the green turf close by the sportsmen.

"Young men," said the lady in a melodious but mournful
voice, as she pointed to the dead hares, "you have murdered
these poor innocents for your sport: know, I am the fairy
called KINDNESS, and these hares were all of them my
friends. In punishment for your cruelty, you sportsmen shall
be changed into Martens, and you attendants into Weasels.
In such shapes you may pursue your cruel sports; you are not
worthy of the forms of men." And, waving her wand, the swans
bore her instantly out of sight.

They who live in this country say that every old
Michaelmas-day, five martens and four weasels, w