A BATTLE IN MID AIR A day or two after the supper of the wren pie, Max bought from a pedler a gray falcon most beautifully marked, with a scarlet head and neck, and we sent our squires to Hymbercourt, asking him to solicit from the duke's seneschal, my Lord de Vergy, permission to strike a heron on the marshes.

The favor was easily obtained, and we went forth that afternoon to try the new hawk.
The hours passed quickly.

The hawk was perfectly trained, and as fierce as a mountain wildcat.

Its combats in mid air were most exciting.

It would attack its prey and drive it back to a point nearly over our heads.