Wood Magic: A Fable

Obvious minor typesetting errors in punctuation have been silently corrected. Other possible errors have been corrected. These changes appear in red with underscoring; hovering the cursor over such text will reveal a note explaining the change. WOOD MAGIC A Fable BY RICHARD JEFFERIES AUTHOR OF "THE GAMEKEEPER AT HOME," "FIELD AND HEDGEROW," "THE TOILERS OF THE FIELD," ETC. NEW IMPRESSION LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO. 39 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON NEW YORK, BOMBAY, AND CALCUTTA 1907 All rights reserved BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE. First published, 2 vols., post 8vo, by Cassell & Co., in 1881; Reissued by them in one volume in 1882. 'Silver Library' Edition, June, 1883. Reprinted September, 1894; January, 1899; February, 1903; April, 1907. Inscribed to Harold. CONTENTS. I. Sir Bevis II. At Home III. Adventures of the Weasel IV. Brook-Folk V. Kapchack VI. The Squirrel VII. The Courtiers VIII. The Emperor Choo Hoo IX. The Council X. Traitors XI. The Storm in the Night XII. The Old Oak.—The King's Despair XIII. The Courtship in the Orchard XIV. The Great Battle XV. Palace Secrets XVI. The New King XVII. Sir Bevis and the Wind PREFATORY NOTE. Little need be said as to this re-issue of Wood Magic . It was originally published in two volumes, post 8vo, by Messrs. Cassell & Co. in 1881, and re-issued by them in one volume in 1882. The present edition is reprinted from the original edition. The frontispiece and vignette are drawn by the accomplished lady who chooses to be known as E. V. B., whose illustrations to the Story Without an End charmed many boys and girls years ago, and I hope still fascinate their children. C. J. L. WOOD MAGIC. SIR BEVIS. One morning as little "Sir" Bevis [such was his pet name] was digging in the farmhouse garden, he saw a daisy, and throwing aside his spade, he sat down on the grass to pick the flower to pieces. He pulled the pink-tipped petals off one by one, and as they dropped they were lost. Next he gathered a bright dandelion, and squeezed the white juice from the hollow stem, which drying presently, left his fingers stained with brown spots. Then he drew forth a bennet from its sheath, and bit and sucked it till his teeth were green from the sap. Lying at full length, he drummed the earth with his toes, while the tall grass blades tickled his cheeks. Presently,…