Страница 70 из 626

And as the carter went on with the other two horses, she again

crept under the tilt of the cart, and pecked out the bung of the

second cask, so that all the wine ran out. When the carter saw

this, he again cried out, 'Miserable wretch that I am!' But the

sparrow answered, 'Not wretch enough yet!' and perched on the

head of the second horse, and pecked at him too. The carter ran

up and struck at her again with his hatchet; but away she flew,

and the blow fell upon the second horse and killed him on the

spot. 'Unlucky wretch that I am!' said he. 'Not wretch enough

yet!' said the sparrow; and perching upon the third horse, she

began to peck him too. The carter was mad with fury; and without

looking about him, or caring what he was about, struck again at

the sparrow; but killed his third horse as he done the other two.

'Alas! miserable wretch that I am!' cried he.