, some with deep valleys; but
all with a background of that deep clear blue so little noticed by us
because so frequently to be seen. All at once came from the field on
the right, rising and falling, now apparently close at hand, then as
though far-off, a peculiar cry--

"Creek--creek; creek--creek," for about a dozen times, when there was a
pause. Then again, the peculiarly harsh creaking cry was heard.

"There's an old meadow-crake," said Harry, who was holding the kite:
"let's go and hunt him up; perhaps we could catch it."

"But who's to hold the kite?" said Philip.

"Put the stick in the ground, and leave it," said Harry, at once setting
to work to put his project into execution, by thrusting one end of the
stick to which the string was tied deeply into a crack in the ground.

"That won't be safe," said Fred, trying the stick.

"Oh yes, it will," said Harry, giving it a stamp on the top with his
foot; "come along."

"Creek--creek," sang the landrail or meadow-crake, apparently a quarter
of a mile off.

"Come on, boys," said Harry again, running off with a half limp, closely
followed by Philip and Fred.

"Creek--creek," said the landrail, far enough down, away from where it
had been heard at first.

"There's an old stupid," said Philip; "why, where are you?" he
continued.

"Creek--creek; creek--creek," said the landrail again, as though just
over the hedge, and not more than twenty yards from them.

"Here's a gap," said Harry, creeping through the hedge; "look sharp;
we'll have him."

Philip and Fred crept through, and stood with Harry, looking for the
bird they were to catch; but all was silent, except the hum of the
insects amidst the hedge flowers.

"Now, there's an artful thing," said Philip.

"Creek--creek; creek--creek," came from the bottom of the field again.

"He's down at the bottom," said Harry, running along by the hedgerow
toward the bottom of the field.

"Creck-creck; creek-creek," said the bird again, and away started Philip
in the opposite direction.

"Creek--creek; creek--creek," said the bird again, close at hand.

"Why, I shall catch it," said Fred to himself, for he had stayed behind;
and now started off into the middle of the field in quest of the
mysterious stranger.

"Creek--creek; creek--creek; creek--creek," cried the bird, apparently
here, there, and everywhere, but always invisible; and up and down, and
round and round, ran the boys, until they all stood togethe