"Now then, Madman," said Tom, "you next."
"No, I'm lighter than you; you go next." So Tom got on East's shoulders,
and grasped the tree above, and then Martin scrambled up on to Tom's
shoulders, amidst the totterings and groanings of the pyramid, and, with
a spring which sent his supporters howling to the ground, clasped the
stem some ten feet up, and remained clinging. For a moment or two they
thought he couldn't get up; but then, holding on with arms and teeth, he
worked first one iron then the other firmly into the bark, got another
grip with his arms, and in another minute had hold of the lowest branch.
"All up with the old magpie now," said East; and after a minute's
rest, up went Martin, hand over hand, watched by Arthur with fearful
eagerness.
"Isn't it very dangerous?" said he.
"Not a bit," answered Tom; "you can't hurt if you only get good
hand-hold. Try every branch with a good pull before you trust it, and
then up you go."
Martin was now amongst the small branches close to the nest, and
away dashed the old bird, and soared up above the trees, watching the
intruder.
"All right--four eggs!" shouted he.
"Take 'em all!" shouted East; "that'll be one a-piece."
"No, no; leave one, and then she won't care," said Tom.
We boys had an idea that birds couldn't count, and were quite content as
long as you left one egg.
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