"THE CAT OF BUBASTES" by G.A. HENTY.

A. For several days Chebron and Mysa had noticed that their birds seemed afraid of some danger. for they remained hidden in the bushes. there must be something , perhaps a wild animal, frightening them. Chebron said "look"there are several feathers lying about. and some of them are marked with blood. Amuba and I will watch tomorrow morning with our bows and arrows and see whether we can kill or drive it. away . if this continues we shall lose all our birds. B.the following morning Chebron and Amuba went down to the garden soon after sunrise and hid among the bushes. for some time nothing happened , then suddently there was a frighehed cry of alarm, and a large bird flew down and seized one of the ducklings. in an instant the boys jumped to their feet and as the bird rose into the air with the duckliling . shot at it with their bows. Amuba's arrow hit the bird between the wings . and the creature fell dead. Chebron's arrow was also well aimed. but it struck a branch which turned it to one side. Amuba gave a shout of joy and sprang out from among the bushes. but he stopped and turned as a cry of alarm broke from Chebron.to his surprise he saw a look of a great fear on the face of his companion, who stood as if turned to stone.