The San Francisco call., 1909-11-20

then start OH, ne saw lou OF OtneT
pigeons start all going in the same
direction, and then he felt little
CULVER, little voice that called to
him, and pointing straight for home
he started off.
Ear off he saw the other pigeons. and
he tried to overtake them but they
flew so fast that he seemed hardly hold
ing his place. Mile after mile. he went
and then, looking ahead, he saw some
mountains that nearly reached the sky.
Below and far ahead the others were
huddled in a flock while up above them
swung a hawk. Then he. climbed UP
in the air, hoping to pass above the
bird of prey, but as he rose the hawk
rose also>and poised above him to make
the deadly swoop. With wings that
bore him forward faster than a train
Red swept along. and as he passed be-
meath the hawk he saw the cruel beak
and deadly talons that were waiting
for him. and then he saw the broad
wings fold, and as a rock drops from
mountain precipice the hawk de-
scended on his prey Closer and closer
he came and stretched his talons for
ward for the kill. but as he struck Red
lodged. and with a quick, strong wing
beat swept to safey. while the hawk
beat the air fiercely to check his un-
successful dive. screamed once with
wild. shrill note, and then sought other
and easier victims for his kill
With rapidly beating wings and heart
that knew the feel of triumph Red
swept along at higher speed Back OF
him. as he flew. he saw another pigeon,
and looking he could see that it was
his father driving along with easy
wing strokes that pushed him forward
with little effort Far back of him was
Santa Barbara and ahead were hills
that lifted up like barriers before him,
and as he looked far off ahead he saw
place that seemed familiar and knew
that he had been over the ground be-
fore. This gave him courage and new
heart. and putting yet more strength into
his wings he drew ahead of the other
pigeon and set out for home faster than
he had ever flown before Far down
below him the hills slid back in swift
succession and little rivers shining un-
derneath the sun seemed mere threads.
His wings did not falter, even though
WEAKNESS was on him. and he flew on
just as fast as If he was fresh started
on his trip. and when the sun began to
drop toward the ocean he saw. far off
ahead. the gleam that shone upon the
church steeple. and then, beyond il. the
cottage and the loft that held his nest
and babies. With swift long swoop
he dropped toward 1T and settled on the
little platform just before the entrance
to the loft then pushed his way into
the loft. swinging the little gate that
barred the way and forming a con-
nection that rang bell inside the
house. With tired wings he flew over
to his nest, and scarcely had he settled
there when the man came in the loft
looked at him and called out to the bov
who was downstairs, Come up here
quick, Arthur Red just got in and you
must take his racing number down To
the club at once"
With flying feet the boy set Off hop
ing that his pigeon had won the race,
and as the secretary of the club looked
up at him he held the little aluminium
tag that racing pigeons wear when fly
ing for prize. MY pigeon came back
home at halp past A." he said. Eat inst
exactly half past 4, and gee! l hope he
won"
He must have won" the secretary
said, for no other bird has come in vet.
and unless some one from farther out
has had bird come home your pigeon
is the winner of the race"
I'm going to wait right here until I
know for certain" the boy said, and
as he spoke another man came.
My pigeon just got in, he said. sshe
came into the loft at 20 minutes OF s."
Too late.' the secretary answered:
"here's boy whose bird got home at
half past A."
The streetcars seemed too slow for
Reds owner when he started home.
and when he burst into the house he
raised cheer for Red that made the
neighbors want to know just what was
happening. my pigeon won the race"
he cried; ne few 500 miles. just think
of II, just think that Red beat all the
other birds"
With all the enthusiasm that he dis
played he did not by any means for
get his pet and clean sweet grain
and fresh cool water were taken TO
him. which made him forget the weary
miles. and then, In less than two weeks
from the day that Red had raced, there
was silver cup upon the mantel of
the house before the loft. and on the
cup these words were neatly en-
graved, "B 565. Winner of the 500
mile race, and breaker of all records
for speed; average miles flown per
hour 52h." And In the pigeon inft