The loud report not only frightened the bird, but startled little Edward
also, which made his cousins laugh heartily. The children all thought
they had rather lose the apples than such a pretty bird, and were not
quite satisfied with Mr. Wilson for sending him away. To divert their
minds, he told them to put on their hats, and take a ramble in the
fields with him, and perhaps he would walk with them up the high hill
near his farm, if their little visitor thought his legs were strong
enough to climb so high. Edward thought they were; so they set off,
shouting and racing through the fields, while Mr. Wilson followed
leisurely in the road.

They found it rather hard work to climb the hill, which was very steep,
but when they got to the top, they were well paid for all their trouble.
They could see many pretty towns, with the beautiful river gliding along
through them, and many high hills, like the one they were on, far away
in the distance. Mr. Wilson pointed out and told them the names of the
different villages which were in sight, and thus amused and instructed
them till they were all well rested. Then they started down the hill,
and except a few tumbles, reached the foot of it in safety.

Mr. Wilson then led the way for a walk over his large farm. In one of
the fields they stopped to see a flock of sheep. Among them were a great
number of pretty white lambs, skipping and jumping about, kicking up
their little legs, wagging their tails, and looking so innocent and
happy, that Edward could not bear to leave them. But his cousins, who
were accustomed to these things, were impatient to be gone, and Edward
was soon scampering after them, from field to field;--first to see the
men plowing, where George mounted one horse and William another, and
rode before the plows for a few minutes; then, leaving Mr. Wilson there,
they chased the butterflies, and picked the early flowers, as they