Page:Augusta Seaman--Jacqueline of the carrier pigeons.djvu/31

Rh One after another they released the three remaining birds to whom they had given the  names ‘Count Louis’ and ‘Count John’ after  the great William of Nassau’s two favorite  brothers, and lastly ‘Admiral Boisot.’ It  seemed to be a fancy of the children to call  their pets after their famous generals and  naval commanders.

“These are the finest pigeons we have raised,” remarked Jacqueline as she shaded  her eyes to watch their flight. “None of the others can compare with them, though all are  good.”

“Now we have twenty,” added Gysbert, “and all have proved that they have the very  best training. No pigeons in the city are like ours, not even old Jan Van Buskirk’s. When shall we begin to hire them out as messengers, Jacqueline?”

“Perhaps there will be an opportunity soon,” answered the girl. “Now that our city is no longer besieged we may have to  bide our time. But no one can tell what will