Page:Augusta Seaman--Jacqueline of the carrier pigeons.djvu/119

Rh had drawn closer and closer, and at last passed directly over their heads.

So close to the summit of the Hill was its flight that they could faintly hear the whir  of its wings. When it was close above them, all doubt as to its identity vanished, and besides, it was making straight in the directon [sic] of Belfry Lane. Without waiting a moment they rushed down the hill, their bodies refreshed by their meal of none too well  cooked rabbit meat, their courage restored by  the hope of speedy deliverance for the city.

They found when they reached the house that the pigeon had been long before them,  Vrouw Voorhaas declaring that she had let  it in some half an hour previously. Up to the dove-cote they clambered, breathless  and excited, to behold “William of Orange”  strutting about proudly, preening his ruffled  feathers, and cooing plaintively to be fed. Gysbert found a message tied about the bird’s leg. As fast as his feet would carry