he poor cock was reaching for the
grass and was then lowered quickly, so he had to walk with bent
knees. Again and again the gobbler walked up and down with him
before the assembled flock. Hens and geese cackled loudly and
clapped their wings. Applause and derision rose high each time the
poor cock swung around, reaching for the grass. But the gobbler
continued his even stride, deliberately, and as it seemed,
thoughtfully, applying correction to the quarrelsome bird. Walking
the grass tips had begun to tire those reaching legs. The cock
soon straddled along with a serious eye and an open mouth. But the
gobbler gave him no rest. When, at length, he released his hold,
the game-cock lay weary and wild-eyed, with no more fight in him
than a bunch of rags. Soon he rose and ran away and hid himself in
the stable. The culprit fowl was then tried, convicted, and
sentenced to the block.

"It's the fate of all fighters that have only a selfish cause,"
said the teacher. He was sitting on the grass, Polly, and Tom, and
Paul, beside him.

"Look here," said he, suddenly. "I'll show you another fight."

All gathered about him. Down among the grass roots an ant stood
facing a big, hairy spider. The ant backed away, presently, and
made a little detour, the spider turning quickly and edging toward
him. The ant stood motionless, the spider on tiptoe, with daggers
drawn. The big, hairy spider leaped like a lion to its prey. They
could see her striking with the fatal knives, her great body
quivering with fierce energy. The little ant was hidden beneath
it. Some uttered a cry of pity, and Paul was for taking sides.

"Wait a moment," said the teacher, restraining his hand. The
spider had begun to tremble in a curious manner.

"Look now," said Trove, with some excitement.

Her legs had begun to let go and were straightening stiff on both
sides of her. In a moment she tilted sideways and lay still. They
saw a twinkle of black, legs and the ant making off in the stubble.
They picked up the spider's body; it was now only an empty shell.
Her big stomach had been torn away and lay in little strips and
chunks, down at the roots of the stubble.

"It's the end of a bit of history," said the teacher, as he tore
away the curved blades of the spider and put them in Polly's palm.

"Let's see where the ant goes."

He got down upon his hands and knees and watched the little black
tiger, now hurrying for his lair. In a mom