saw a big black snake crawling toward it. I got the garden rake and
pulled him loose from the limb; and when he fell to the ground, I killed
the cruel thief."

Joyce stepped out into the yard, to get a better look at the little
songster as he sat swinging at the top of the old apple tree. Just then
he flew across the orchard and down to the creek, alighting among the
willows along the bank.

That afternoon the children went to the creek, to see if there were any
water lilies in bloom. As they neared the clump of willows, Don said,
"Let's be quiet, and see if we can find the mocking bird." So they walked
softly, and talked in whispers; but they did not catch a glimpse of the
lovely songster. Suddenly Don stopped and pointed to a big green frog
sitting on a lily pad in the middle of the creek.

"Oh-h-h!" exclaimed Joyce. Instantly there was a splash, and the frog
was gone. There were splashes all around, as other frogs disappeared in
the water.

The children hid behind the willows, and waited quietly for some time.
Soon they saw a big green fellow swim toward the lily pad and climb up
on it. Others began to swim about in the water, and a number of them
came out along the bank.

Suddenly Joyce caught sight of something else, which made her forget the
frogs. Just beyond the spot where the frog sat perched on a lily pad,
there was a lovely water lily in bloom.

"O Don," she whispered, "do you think we can get it?"