“‘Lad, lad, in the witch’s wood, There is no more hope when the spell is spoken; Lost lad, is the sight so good Of the empty place where your love has stood? (O the long, long days that her heart has broken!) Dead broom, be your bare pod’s doom Black,’ says the witch, ‘for a sign and token.’ “‘Bold broom, by the witch’s door, Will you hide my lad as his step steals nigher? Sleep, witch, on the forest floor; You are drugged by the broom-flowers’ scented core. (O the smouldering fumes of its golden fire!) Burn, broom, in the forest’s gloom, Glow,’ says the lass, ‘like the heart’s desire.’ “‘Wind, wind, round the witch’s lair There’s a lad and lass that no spell can sever; Sing, wind, in the broom-flowers there, For you sing good-bye to an old despair. (O the long, long days, that are done for ever!) Gold broom, with the silken plume, Laugh,’ says the wind, ‘because love dies never.’” Maggie was so much absorbed in the song that she came forward a little from behind the root. Though Dan had not turned his head she saw that his watchful eyes were on her, and she prepared to move away. The girl turned round; her face was so sweet that Maggie spoke up. “I was only listening to the song,” she said. “Come and sit beside me,” said the singer. “My name is Rhoda. Who are you?” “That’s the girl from our camp,” said Dan. Long after he had gone back to feed the horses Maggie sat talking to her new friend. She told her all about Alfonso and the Cochin-Chinaman, and how they had all run away from the farm. Though Rhoda was grown up and could not understand fowls when they spoke, she listened with great interest, and Maggie promised to bring the two cocks to visit her. When she got home Dan was putting a rug on the chestnut horse, for the nights were growing colder. He seemed to look at her with a new interest. “Do you like Rhoda’s songs?” he asked suddenly. “Oh yes.” “She makes them for me,” said Dan. “I am going to take Alfonso and the other cock to see her,” continued Maggie. “Perhaps I shall go to-morrow.” “Then I had better come with you. There are wild-cats in the wood,” observed Dan shortly. And he went into the green van and said no more. After that Maggie managed to slip away nearly every day to see her friend in the other camp. Sometimes she took the birds with her, and sometimes she left them at home. Dan and his brother had gone off to a fair in the neighbourhood, which was to last several days.