SCHOOL DAYS
were furious, and East sat by laughing, and shouting at each failure, "Two to one on the old magpie!"
"We must try a pyramid," said Tom at last. "Now, Scud, you lazy rascal, stick yourself against the tree!"
"I dare say! and have you standing on my shoulders with the irons on. What do you think my skin's made of?" However, up he got, and leaned against the tree, putting his head down and clasping it with his arms as far as he could. "Now, then. Madman," said Tom, "you next."
"No, I'm lighter than you; you go next." So Tom got on East's shoulders and grasped the tree above, and then Martin scrambled up on Tom's shoulders, amid the totterings and groanings of the pyramid, and, with a spring which sent his supporters howling to the ground, clasped the stem some ten feet up, and remained clinging. For a moment or two they thought he couldn't get up, but then, holding on with arms and teeth, he worked first one iron, then the other, firmly into the bark, got another grip with his arms, and in another minute had hold of the lowest branch.
"All up with the old magpie now," said East; and, after a minute's rest, up went Martin, hand over hand, watched by Arthur with fearful eagerness.
"Isn't it very dangerous?" said he.
"Not a bit," answered Tom; "you can't hurt if you only get good hand-hold. Try every branch with a good pull before you trust it, and then up you go."
Martin was now among the small branches close to the nest, and away dashed the old bird and soared up above the trees, watching the intruder.
"All right—four eggs!" shouted he.
"Take 'em all!" shouted East; "that 'll be one apiece."
"No, no! leave one, and then she won't care," said Tom.
We boys had an idea that birds couldn't count, and were quite content as long as you left one egg. I hope it is so.
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