There it waged the battle of death.

It had killed three herons, all of which had fallen at our feet, and we were returning home when a fourth rose from the marsh.

We were on a side road or path, perhaps five hundred yards from the main highway.
At the moment Max gave wing to his bird, two ladies and three gentlemen came up the road, returning to Peronne, and halted to witness the aerial combat.

That they were of the court, I could easily see by their habits, though the distance was so great that I could not distinguish their faces.
Never did hawk acquit itself more nobly.

It seemed to realize that it had a distinguished audience.