The latter exclamation was occasioned by the sudden flight of the dove, which, escaping from her hold, soared aloft. Jennet followed the course of its silver wings, as they cleaved the blue sky, and then all at once saw a large hawk, which apparently had been hovering about, swoop down upon it, and bear it off. Some white feathers fell down near the little girl, and she picked up one of them and put it in her breast. "Poor bird!" exclaimed the May Queen. "Eigh, poor bird!" echoed Jennet, tearfully. "Ah, ye dunna knoa aw, Alizon." "Weel, there's neaw use whimpering abowt a duv," observed Jem, gruffly. "Ey'n bring ye another t' furst time ey go to Cown." "There's nah another bird like that," sobbed the little girl. "Shoot that cruel hawk fo' me, Jem, win ye." "How conney wench, whon its flown away?" he replied. "Boh ey'n rob a hawk's neest fo ye, if that'll do os weel." "Yo dunna understand me, Jem," replied the child, sadly. At this moment, the music, which had ceased while some arrangements were made, commenced a very lively tune, known as "Round about the May-pole," and Robin Hood, taking the May Queen's hand, led her towards the pole, and placing her near it, the whole of her attendants took hands, while a second circle was formed by the morris-dancers, and both began to wheel rapidly round her, the music momently increasing in spirit and quickness. An irresistible desire to join in the measure seized some of the lads and lasses around, and they likewise took hands, and presently a third and still wider circle was formed, wheeling gaily round the other two. Other dances were formed here and there, and presently the whole green was in movement. "If you come off heart-whole to-night, Dick, I shall be surprised," observed Nicholas, who with his young relative had approached as near the May-pole as the three rounds of dancers would allow them. Richard Assheton made no reply, but glanced at the pink which he had placed in his doublet. "Who is the May Queen?" inquired Sir Thomas Metcalfe, who had likewise drawn near, of a tall man holding a little girl by the hand. "Alizon, dowter of Elizabeth Device, an mey sister," replied James Device, gruffly. "Humph!" muttered Sir Thomas, "she is a well-looking lass. And she dwells here--in Whalley, fellow?" he added. "Hoo dwells i' Whalley," responded Jem, sullenly. "I can easily find her abode," muttered the knight, walking away. "What was it Sir Thomas said to you, Jem?" inquired Nicholas, who had watched the knight's gestures, coming up. Jem related what had passed between them. "What the devil does he want with her?" cried Nicholas. "No good, I'm sure. But I'll spoil his sport." "Say boh t' word, squoire, an ey'n break every boan i' his body," remarked Jem. "No, no, Jem," replied Nicholas. "Take care of your pretty sister, and I'll take care of him."