Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

dim. As I was going along here I heard a peculiar tinny sound - as near as I can represent it by writing it went “Zvee - Zvee -Zvee - Zvee - Zvee” sharp and rapid and again “Zvee - Zvee -Zvee” more slowly but as sharply. At first I imagined there were tree-frogs, but being uncertain started to investigate. As I approached each sound however, it would suddenly stop and this is not the way of tree frogs. There seemed to be several in the tall grass growing in the dried pond-bed and thither I turned. A rabbit sprang from the grass and bobbed away thru underbrush. Having reached the center of the pond-bed I paused motionless to await the renewal of the sounds. Presently I heard them again on all sides. They seemed to be mocking me and to be calling to each other joking about my perplexity.

     As I stood thus I heard voices. Half turning around I said a man and boy